Embracing the Islamic principle of social justice in the Malaysian trade union movement
Razak, A.S.S1, Mahmod, N.A.K.N2.
The notion of social justice in Islam requires fairness in allocating
and distributing goods to all members and groups in society. In the
context of employment, an employer is required to treat all workers
equally and pay their dues suitable with their skills and capabilities.
A trade union is an important component under the tripartite system
of industrial relations that is imperative in representing workers to
demand or improve their working conditions. Although there is legal
recognition accorded to trade unions in Malaysia, various state-imposed
restrictions have curtailed trade union actions in representing workers for better and equal treatment at the workplace. This paper examined
whether the current trade union legal framework in Malaysia is in
concord with the Islamic principles of social justice. The objectives
of this research are two-fold: first, to examine the principles of social
justice in Islam and second, to integrate Islamic principles of social
justice into the Malaysian trade union legal framework. In order to
fulfil the objectives of this study, it employed the literature research
method and referred to Islamic texts (the Quran and hadith). The
study has revealed that the restrictive legal system of trade unions
in Malaysia contradicts the concept of social justice as embodied in
Islamic principles. Therefore, there should be amendments to the
legal framework of trade unions in Malaysia to guarantee the exercise
of full rights of trade unions in the state and ensure consistency with
shariah.
Affiliation:
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
- International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
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