MALAYSIAN INDUSTRIAL
RELATIONS & EMPLOYMENT LAW
Author: Maimunah Aminuddin
Chapter One
An Overview
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
1
Preview

Defining industrial relations

The focus of industrial relations

Tripartite systems and the key players

Employment legislation

Role of the Ministry of Human Resources
and other key agencies
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
2
What is industrial relations?
Industrial relations is the relationship
between an employer and his employees,
especially where the employees are members
of a trade union.
Industrial relations is also known as:

Employment relations

Labour relations
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
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The focus of industrial relations
Industrial
Relations
Relationship
between
employers &
trade unions
Laws relating to
employment
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
Disciplinary
procedures &
termination of
employment
4
Who needs to study industrial
relations?

Workers

Trade union leaders

Managers

Lawyers

Human resource management specialists
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
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Tripartite industrial relations
systems: 3 parties, all inter-related
Employers
Employees &
their
trade unions
The
Government
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
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Key players in Malaysian industrial
relations

National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC)

Ministry of Human Resources

Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC)

Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF)

International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
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The International Labour
Organisation

The ILO is an agency of the United Nations.

It has no powers to enforce any directives or
rules.

It formulates key labour standards which
members, including Malaysia, are expected
to implement.
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
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Employment laws


Laws providing basic benefits and rights for
employees and employers
Laws establishing a framework for the
industrial relations system

Social security laws

Safety laws

Laws restricting employment of nonMalaysians
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
9
Role of the government in IR

To protect welfare of workers

To promote good employer-employee
relationships through a peaceful IR system

To assist the unemployed find employment

To conduct national level human resource
planning
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
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Ministry of Human Resources
Departments which play a key role in IR:

Department of Labour

Department of Industrial Relations

Department of Trade Union Affairs

Department of Occupational Safety and
Health
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
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Other key agencies

The Employees Social Security Organisation

The Employees Provident Fund

The Industrial Court
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
12
Review

Defining industrial relations

The focus of industrial relations

Tripartite systems and the key players

Employment legislation

Role of the Ministry of Human Resources
and other key agencies
Malaysian Industrial Relations &
Employment Law
13