Trade unions in the country are forced to function as organisers of pickets and demonstrations due to the government’s failure to play an equitable role.

NUBE urges Tun Dr. Mahathir to also change his perspective that is to change his opinion in relation to labour rights and welfare of workers. Let us not have world class infrastructure but third class mentality.

Tun Dr. Mahathir  too took to the streets to join the Bersih demands when he realised that the conduct of the previous government was intolerable.  

Similarly, when employers conduct is intolerable, trade unions are forced to organise pickets and demonstrations.  

Trade union rights are basic human rights.  Pickets and demonstrations are the only trade union rights action that  is remaining to expose the cruelty of employers and to demand employers to behave fairly.  This is the fundamental rights of trade unions globally and provided for in Malaysian laws. 

When the employer acts cruelly and denies the rights of workers without social dialogue and the Government too ignores and shuts its eyes on the welfare of the workers, trade unions have to wake them up from their slumber with pickets and demonstrations.

The employer's need for workers has not changed or become more complex as quoted by Tun. 

On the other hand, some employers have  become more greedy and refuse to share the fruits of the profits with employees as suggested by Tun Dr. Mahathir at the United Nations platform recently.

Employees are also not ignorant, they are constantly changing with current developments and are doing their jobs well. This is evident from the development seen in Malaysia.  The ignorant ones are some employers who refuse to change their behavior, corrupt attitude and do not want to respect the rights of workers.

Based on the Principles of Tripartism, 
good relations is the responsibility of employers and, more importantly, the Government, not just that of trade unions.

The picket against HSBC, to be held on December 15, is a result of HSBC's arrogance, dishonesty and violation of the law.

It is also pursuant to the conduct of the Minister of Finance who has deliberately refused to meet NUBE to hear the B40's human rights violations and violations of banking law by HSBC Bank, the majority of are women.

Therefore, we hope the Government will play a more effective role, also in relation to the technological changes, automation, robotics and this must be done immediately so that employees are not left behind and remain relevant when sudden changes occur.

This is also part of sharing the wealth of the nation where the largest citizens are employees, they too must progress along with the country instead of living in debt.