Trade union representatives in Malaysia are strengthening efforts to make organizing more inclusive, focusing on policies and strategies that expand the participation and leadership of women and migrant workers.
These efforts were discussed during a two-day training workshop held on 16-17 March 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, which brought together 25 representatives from around 10 unions affiliated with the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC). Participants included union leaders, organizers and rank-and-file members-women and men-from the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, as well as banking and finance, textiles, and food and catering.
The workshop focused on strengthening trade union policies and campaign strategies for inclusive organizing, while linking freedom of association and collective bargaining to efforts to address forced labour and child labour risks.
Participants identified practical barriers limiting participation and leadership among women and migrant workers, including structural, legal and workplace challenges. They highlighted the need to review union rules, approaches and internal practices so organizing efforts better reflect workers' realities.
Building on these discussions, the workshop also created space to explore solutions, including leadership pathways for women, non-discrimination approaches, and more accessible participation and engagement mechanisms. Participants exchanged views on how trade unions can better respond to workplace concerns affecting both local and migrant workers.
"The discussions helped draw greater attention to the need for trade union policies and organizing strategies that are more inclusive, including of women and migrant workers," said Kamarul Baharin Mansor, Secretary‑General, Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).
"By creating space for women and migrant workers to participate more actively, unions can strengthen their role in addressing workers' needs and challenges," added a woman participant.
To ground these discussions in sector realities, a presentation on the E&E sector explored complex supply chains and related labour rights risks, situating inclusive organizing strategies within a major export-oriented industry. Discussions also examined recent legal reforms in Malaysia and their implications for trade union organizing and representation.
Participants also identified concrete follow-up actions, including raising these issues within their unions, sharing learning with members, reviewing policies and practices, and contributing to organizing and campaign plans.
The workshop was organized with support from the ADVANCE Project (Advancing Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work on Forced Labour and Child Labour in Malaysia (Electrical and Electronics Sector), with funding support from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The training is a collaboration between ILO's FUNDAMENTALS and ACTRAV.
