Dr. Hj. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Capt. Hj. Bakri-In recent years, there has been a growing clamor among Malaysian professional workers (engineers, technicians, and other professionals) to form unions to advocate for better salaries and improved working conditions. Despite a robust economic environment, many individuals in these fields face stagnant wages and a lack of collective bargaining power. This article explores the failure to secure better salaries for Malaysian professional workers. It makes a case for establishing unions to address these issues, where many associations in Malaysia have failed.
Despite Malaysia’s economic growth and industrial development, the wages of Malaysian professional workers have not kept pace with the rising cost of living, high taxes, etc. Research indicates that many Malaysian professional workers in these fields are dissatisfied with their current compensation levels, leading to increased demand for action. One of the key challenges Malaysian professional workers face is the lack of collective bargaining power. Individual professionals often find themselves negotiating with employers with a stronger position regarding resources and influence, especially since most have strong ties with political influence. This power imbalance contributes to the difficulty in achieving substantial salary increments through individual efforts.
While there are existing professional associations in Malaysia representing professional workers, their advocacy efforts have often fallen short of addressing the core issues related to salaries and working conditions due to political influence and pressure. While playing crucial roles in networking and knowledge sharing, these associations have struggled to make significant strides in improving the financial well-being of their members. They also struggle to maintain their association by increasing their association fees and programs related to long-life learning experiences. Another factor contributing to the failure of these recognized associations is the absence of a unified voice. Malaysian professional workers are often dispersed across various industries and sectors, making consolidating their concerns into a collective bargaining force challenging.
Therefore, unions focusing on solidarity and unified action could fill this void. Unions have a proven track record of negotiating improved wages and benefits for their members. By consolidating the bargaining power of Malaysian professional workers, unions can effectively negotiate with employers to secure better salaries that reflect the skills and contributions of their members. Unions provide a mechanism to address the power imbalance between individual professionals and employers. Through collective bargaining, unions can level the playing field, ensuring that engineers and technicians have a stronger say in determining their terms of employment. Unions are not limited to negotiating better salaries; they can also advocate for improved working conditions, job security, and career development opportunities. By addressing a broader
range of concerns, unions can enhance their members’ overall well-being and job satisfaction. The legal and regulatory framework surrounding unions in Malaysia should be explored and understood. Any efforts to form unions must comply with existing laws and regulations to ensure the legitimacy and sustainability of these organizations.
The success of unions relies heavily on the solidarity of their members. Professional workers must build a sense of unity and common purpose to ensure the effectiveness of their collective actions. Rather than working in isolation, new unions should explore opportunities for collaboration with existing professional associations. This collaboration can help leverage the
strengths of both entities, creating a more robust advocacy platform for Malaysian engineers and technicians.
Forming unions among Malaysian professional workers is a compelling solution to stagnant salaries and limited bargaining power. Recognising the challenges existing associations face, unions present a viable avenue for professionals to collectively advocate for better wages, improved working conditions, and a more equitable distribution of benefits. By overcoming legal
hurdles, building solidarity, and collaborating with existing organisations, Malaysian professional workers can pave the way for a stronger and more empowered professional community. The time is ripe for a new era of advocacy that places the well-being of these professionals at the forefront of Malaysia’s industrial landscape.
Ts. Dr. Hj. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Capt. Hj. Bakri is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Composite Materials and Engineering Center, Washington State University (WSU),
