Industrial Relations Chapter 8 Quiz

Industrial Relations

• Industrial relations refers to the relationship between employers, employees, and the regulatory framework governing these interactions.
• The primary focus is on the rights and responsibilities of both parties and the management of workplace conditions.

Ministry of Human Resources

• Plays a vital role in overseeing and regulating labor laws, employment standards, and workplace safety.
• Responsible for promoting fair labor practices and resolving disputes between employers and employees.

Trade Unions

• Workers join trade unions primarily to gain collective bargaining power for better wages, working conditions, and job security.
• Types of trade unions include:
  • Craft unions: Represent skilled workers in specific trades.
  • Industrial unions: Organize all workers in a particular industry.
  • Company unions: Membership confined to employees of a specific company.

Collective Bargaining

• Defined as negotiations between employers and trade unions on employment terms such as wages, hours, and working conditions.
• A collective agreement is the result of successful bargaining, outlining agreed-upon conditions.
• Typically, the duration of a collective agreement lasts for a defined period, often ranging from one to three years.

Dispute Resolution

• Two recognized measures used by workers in Malaysia to settle workplace disputes are mediation and arbitration.

Trade Union Legal Requirements

• To form a trade union, legal requirements include obtaining a minimum number of interested members and registering with the appropriate authorities.
• According to section 2 of the Trade Unions Act (TUA) 1959, a trade union is defined as an association of employees aimed at regulating relations between its members and employers.

Collective Bargaining Process

• A trade union can invite an employer to commence collective bargaining after showing sufficient membership support.
• The purpose of collective bargaining is to negotiate better employment terms and maintain harmonious workplace relations.

National Union of Employees

• Refers to a federation that represents multiple trade unions and aims to coordinate collective bargaining on behalf of its members.

Tripartite System

• Composed of three main entities: the government, employers, and employees, ensuring collaborative governance in labor policies.

Responsibilities of the Ministry of Human Resources

• Primary responsibility includes formulating labor policies and ensuring compliance with labor laws.
• One significant responsibility is facilitating dispute resolution and promoting dialogue between labor and management.

Industrial Action

• Refers to actions taken by workers, such as strikes or work stoppages, to express dissatisfaction or to enforce demands during disputes.

Importance of Collective Bargaining

• Plays a crucial role in industrial relations by establishing fair wages and working conditions while fostering constructive dialogue between employees and management.