The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) today claimed that union busting has become "a very serious problem" in the country and called on the government to take immediate steps to enforce the relevant laws to curb the illegal practice and protect workers.

MTUC deputy secretary-general A. Balasubramaniam, in a call made on the eve of Workers Day, said employers were using various unethical methods to undermine the effectiveness of unions.

For example, he said, some errant employers initially accepted the formation of unions and subsequently put undue pressure on their members and leaders by transferring them, harassing them with show-cause letters and even dismissing them for no just cause.

"The employers also lure members with lucrative offers so that they leave the unions," he claimed.

Balasubramaniam said the formation of unions was a legal right of workers and was intended to establish a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship between workers and employers.

"However, some employers regard unions as their sworn enemy and refuse to work with them and try their best to undermine their effectiveness," he told Bernama.

He said the MTUC was concerned with this development because, of late, it had been receiving many complaints from affiliates of victimisation by employers.

Balasubramaniam called on the Registrar of Trades Union to step up enforcement to nab these errant employers, and said the MTUC would offer full cooperation in the matter.