KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Service Department must delay the implementation of the new service circular on National Joint Councils (MBK), since there were no prior joint discussions.
In a statement today, Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Adnan Mat said it opposed the new service circular which is supposed to take effect on Jan 1.
"Cuepacs rejects and opposes the implementation of PSD's new service circular on the National Joint Council as it did not include Cuepacs as an employee representative and three other joint councils in its discussions, prior to issuing the circular," he said.
Adnan said PSD had failed to consult Cuepacs, the Management and Professional Workers Council, Science and Technology Workers Council and General Workers Council before it finalised the circular.
He said Cuepacs was told that the implementation of the circular is mainly to improve policies related to employer-employee relations in the civil service, but the department's recent move did not reflect this.
"Cuepacs is of the view that the implementation of the service circular involving employer-employee relations policies should involve all stakeholders to ensure the existence of MBK remains relevant. But, the action of the PSD, without consulting Cuepacs, seems to defy the tri-party negotiations between employee representatives, PSD and the government," he said.
Adnan said the present exclusion of certain parties gave the impression that PSD was trying to eliminate the role of trade unions.
"This can create a disharmonious relationship between employers and employees in the working atmosphere. PSD's action of implementing this circular without consulting stakeholders gives us the impression that government officials at the highest level are trying to sabotage the role of unions," he said, adding that this was contrary to the government's aspirations.
Adnan urged PSD to postpone the implementation of the new service circular until negotiations are held with Cuepacs and the three MBK members.
If the PSD still insists, he said, then the union would not hesitate to bring this matter to prime minister's knowledge. \