KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 – Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, on Tuesday paid a glowing tribute to the Malaysian trade union movement for maintaining industrial harmony in the country which contributed tremendously inn the efforts toward development.
“We were fortunate to have trade union leaders who were reasonable in their demands and knew the consequences of industrial unrest and worked with the government to maintain peace and develop the country,” he said.
Launching of the autobiography of the trade union icon A. Ragunathan, 80, the former president of CUEPACS, he added that “it was leaders like Ragu, who helped shape the industrial relations climate in the country.”He urged employers to work closely with trade unionists because “without the support of workers, you cannot get anything done.”
The 173-page book entitled “MY WAY”, edited by former Bernama journalist, Sajad Hussein, chronicles the development of three decades of industrial relation strategy in the country’s civil service from the 1960s to 1990s.
It also details the various salary revisions and improvements in service conditions of the one million-strong Malaysian civil service.Ragunathan who was once acclaimed as a “trade unionist par excellence” by Dr Mahathir, has been credited to having pioneered a new approach on negotiations with the government to obtain the best deal for civil servants during his 30 years in service.
In his heydays, Ragunathan was reputed to have a “hot line” with Dr Mahathir which greatly helped solve many issues and ensured a harmonious industrial relations environment in the country.Dr Mahathir urged the government to consider recognising the contributions of Ragunathan although he had retired.
– BERNAMA
