True to its commitment of open communication with its employees, Telekom Malaysia Berhad today signed the 8^th Collective Agreement (CA) with its union for non-executives, Union of Telekom Malaysia Berhad Employees Sarawak (UTES). The Agreement covers the enhancement of various terms and conditions of service for TM’s non-executives in Sarawak. 

At the signing ceremony, TM was represented by Dato’ Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Group Chief Executive Officer, TM while Mohamad Ibrahim Hamid, President of UTES represented the Union. The signing ceremony was witnessed by YB. Dato’ Joseph Salang Gandum, Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Culture. 

Speaking at the event, Dato’ Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa said, “The negotiation process for this Collective Agreement was done in a different environment where the Company is in an ‘adjustment’ period after the demerger exercise. Unlike before, the Company’s performance is facing great challenges with the current ICT field and both the Management as well as the employees can feel the heat. Nevertheless, we strive to ensure that the Company and the employees’ welfare are well taken care of.” 

“With the spirit of 1TM, we outdo the challenges and the Union and the Management have together embraced the One Company Mindset concept. As a result, after several sessions, the negotiations for the Collective Agreement between the Company and UTES have been completed and concluded amicably, driven by the understanding from both parties.” 

YB. Dato’ Joseph commended the smooth conclusion of the CA by saying, ”I am confident that the event today does not only marks the signing of the agreement, but it also portrays the close and harmonious relationship that TM and the Union have enjoyed all these years. I would like to congratulate both parties for the conclusion of the agreement and I am sure the relationship has been a meaningful one.” 

“Looking at the current development, we have to be aware that the Government aspirations and the people’s need should move in tandem. That is why the Ministry is serious in our efforts to ensure the national agenda of ‘1Malaysia – People First, Performance Now’ is truly embraced and benefit all Malaysians. However, the Government would not be able to work alone for this and every policies outlined by the Government need to put into execution by everyone. Therefore, I would like to urge all TM employees to focus on realizing the national aspiration of producing IT-literate and knowledge-rich society to propel our country to the next level,” added Dato’ Joseph. 

Following the conclusion of the agreement, TM and UTES has agreed on 5 key terms in the CA, as follows: 

• Flexible work schedule – In order to optimize its manpower resources and enhance productivity, both parties have agreed on flexible rest days and flexible working hours. 
• Salary increment – An agreed level of performance-based salary increment for all non-executives covered under UTES will be adopted and they will start enjoying their new salary scale this month, backdated to January 2010.
• Quarantine leaves – the newly-introduced quarantine leave is based on the current situation where employees are allowed to take this leave that fulfill certain conditions set by the Company, for example, after overseas assignment during the H1N1 pandemic. This leave will not affect the employee’s annual leave or medical leave.
• Articles on Occupational Safety and Health – further improvement and enhancement on the articles that concerns the Occupational Safety and Health aspect which highlight the roles of the Company and the employees.
• Enhancement of medical benefits – all non-executives covered under UTES can now enjoy a dental treatment of up to RM150 per year.  

Over and above the key amendments to the 8^th CA, the non-executives will also receive marked increase in their allowances such as the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), meal, lodging, burial, laundry and on-call allowance.  

Besides that, the maximum entitlement for housing and car loans for each employees covered under UTES have also been increased i.e. from RM120,000 to RM150,000 for housing loan and from RM45,000 to RM50,000 for car loan. 

Representing UTES, Mohamad Ibrahim Hamid said, “UTES would like to take this opportunity to thank TM’s management for their support and endorsement that resulted in the successful conclusion of this Collective Agreement, even though the Company’s operations are facing stiff competition and challenges. The conclusion of today’s Collective Agreement, is a clear proof that the management of TM has always placed great value on its employees and continuously make concerted efforts to enhance their level of satisfaction and well being, which in turn, translates into greater productivity.” 

“The conclusion of the Agreement portrays the Company’s commitment and untiring efforts towards enhancing the well-being of the employees as well as maintaining productive relationship with the employees and providing conducive working environment for them. At TM, the welfare development of the employees is always at the top of the list and the Company has embarked on numerous initiatives towards this end. We cannot deny the fact that the employees are the ones who bring a company to its success and that is why we value our employees as our greatest asset. We really hope that the enhancement in the terms and conditions will be reciprocated with greater efforts and determination from our employees in Sarawak towards pushing the Company to the greater heights,” said Dato’ Zamzamzairani. 

For the non-executives, TM has three in-house unions to represent them namely the Peninsular National Union of Telecommunication Employees (NUTE), Sabah Union of Telecommunication Employees (SUTE) and Union of Telecommunication Employees Sarawak (UTES). TM maintains regular and open dialogue with these unions, updating them of major business changes and resolving matters pertaining to collective agreements or operational issues. Issues are mediated primarily by the National Joint Council (NJC) and the Standing Committee (SC), both of which are equally represented by TM and the unions. Cordial relations with the unions are strengthened by inviting their representatives to company activities and events. 

TM has been maintaining good relationship with its unions for non-executives, thanks to regular and open communications between all parties. The engagements, which include dialogues, meetings and visits to the ground has enabled TM and the unions to reach consensus as well as resolve most issues relating to the employees’ benefits and welfare.


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