Unionised workers of Box Pak Malaysia Bhd are taking their complaints to Putrajaya today, claiming that negotiations with their employer and even pickets have failed to settle outstanding issues.

The union had written to Human Resource Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn on Feb 3, but said it has yet to receive a response. About 60 workers submitted a memorandum and held a brief gathering at Putrajaya.

Former union secretary Rani Veriah, who has been sacked for breach of company regulations, said the members want the minister to look into their problems, including collapse of negotiations over a new collective agreement.

"We have held five days of picketing outside the factory, but there has been no change in the company's unfair practices. We now want the government, especially the minister, to look into our problems," she said.

The memorandum was received by officials from the Industrial Relations Department. The officials also assured the workers that they would be holding a meeting with the workers and Box Pak on Feb 17 in Putrajaya.

The union, with a membership of about 100, has claimed that workers were denied their bonus payment for last year, as well as an increment for this year. The company's decisions have been described as union-busting measures.

The union has received support from umbrella organisation, the National Union of Paper and Paper Products Manufacturing Employees Union, as well as non-governmental organisations.

Loss of faith

Social activist S Arutchelvan, who has been working closely with the union, said the workers' plan of action is the result of loss of faith in their employer.

"The ministry must intervene as, in this case, the employees had been receiving their perks (all this while). This only stopped when the union gained official recognition," he said.

"Threats have been made against union members. The ministry must instruct the company to stop this harassment and bring both parties to the negotiation table."

The union, which was formed and registered in June 2002, attained negotiation powers last year when its membership represented more than half of the total number of employees.

The company - a paper and paper products manufacturer located in Batu Caves, Selangor - had previously said financial problems have prevented it from paying out the two-month bonus as well as increments.

It said that an offer of a month's bonus to all employees had been accepted only by management and executive staff.