Breaking through in Malaysia: new union at broadcaster ASTRO TV
In 2010, UNI signed the first global agreement in the media & entertainment sector with Media Prima in Malaysia. The organising drive in the Malaysian media sector let by the UNI Malaysian Liaison Council and the UNI affiliate KSKSTMB did not stop there. After having won the GFA with Media Prima, the UNI MLC and KSKSTMB have been targeting ASTRO TV, Malaysia’ leading digital satellite broadcaster that owns 22 channels and currently broadcasts over 119 pay-TV channels in four major languages across Malaysia and Brunei to more than 2.93 million households. After one year of intensive work and negotiations colleagues obtained the right to register a union @ ASTRO TV.
After obtaining the union’s registration certificate, UNI MLC President Mohammad Shafie said: “This agreement gives us the opportunity to organise and represent more than 3000 workers at Astro TV. We will work closely with colleagues in the company to ensure dignity and trade union rights”
“This is another breakthrough for the media and entertainment workers in Malaysia. Our strategic objective is to organise workers across all major broadcasters in Malaysia. This is another stepping stone in our breaking through strategy” KSKSTMB President Mohammad Khairuzzaman during told participants of the UNI MEI General Assembly in Mexico City presentation on this organising campaign.
Addressing the UNI MEI General Assembly, UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings congratulated colleagues in Malaysia and UNI Apro for the success of this mutual endeavour. “This is a remarkable achievement. In a very short time the UNI MLC and affiliates in the sector have capitalised on the success and momentum of the global framework agreement with Media Prima. UNI is keeping on building its digital profile in Malaysia and is bringing about change to workers in the media and entertainment sector.“
UNI Apro Regional Secretary, Christopher Ng underlined the importance of this success for the region. The success of our Malaysian colleagues is the result of a long commitment and organising effort in Malaysia and the entire Asia-Pacific region. The presence of the media and entrainment sector in the region is growing yet again. UNI Apro will continue to support this important organising campaign”.
On 22 December UNI Apro Regional Secretary Chris NG and UNI MEI Head of Department, Johannes Studinger will meet with UNI MLC, KSKSTMB and colleagues in ASTRO TV to discuss way forward.