PICKET AGAINST TRIENEKENS SARAWAK SDN BHD

Dated 2nd day of January, 2009

Dear Members,

PICKET AGAINST TRIENEKENS SARAWAK SDN BHD

Please be informed that there will be a public protest against Trienekens Sarawak Sdn Bhd at 10.00 am, Sunday, 4th January 2009 at Sunday Market, Jalan Satok, Opposite Bangunan Satok.

The Company dismissed the President and General Secretary of the Trienekens Employees Union for writing a Union Circular asking its members to boycott the Company’s family day. (The boycott is because the Company’s arrogant management refusal to resolve the problems faced by its employees. More than 200 employees boycotted the event which was held on a Rest Day, Sunday)

The action by the Company is the greatest attack on the fundamental right for employees to be Trade Union officials. The Company has an exclusive privatisation contract for waste disposal for DBKU, MBKS and Padawan Municipal Council.

The wanton action of the Company is clearly an attempt to destroy the Union and is a clear violation of Section 59 of the IRA 1967 which makes it an offence for an employer to dismiss a workman because of his membership or leadership of a union.

UTES cannot see how writing or involved in writing a Union letter ON A NON-WORKED RELATED EVENT – FAMILY DAY can be an employee’s misconduct justifying dismissal.

It is sad that in this modern day and age, we still have employers in Sarawak believing that they are masters and workers are slaves.

We call on UTES’ members to take part in this peaceful protest to protect our fundamental right. Your support is crucial to save the job of the President and their General Secretary who are now jobless because they tried to resolve the problems of their fellow workers.

Thank you, make it an appointment to meet each other to wish a Happy New Year on the day whether rain or shine.

Yours fraternally,

MOHAMAD IBRAHIM BIN HAMID
President