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More than 30 participants, including DiGi Union leaders, activists, volunteers and UNI MLC staff, UNI Apro Regional Secretary Christopher Ng and UNI Apro Director for Organising and Campaigns Satoshi Tamai were gathered at the Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on 29 March 2014.

The gathering was hosted by UNI MLC President Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal and DiGi Telecommunications Sdn. Bhd. Employees’ Union (DGEU) President Carina Wong Lai Ming to thank them for their support, celebrate the stunning win of the secret ballot for the recognition of the union and to plan for its future.

The secret ballot for the recognition of the DGEU was held on 11 – 13 March of 2014 across the Malay Peninsula. After more than 2 years of organizing perseverance and crucially the week leading up to the voting days, DiGi employees say their resounding “Yes to Union”. This is manifested by the fact that 429 out of 468 ballots issued to employees or 64.41% of the employees voted for the union. 

DGEU President Carina expressed her warmest appreciation for everyone’s efforts during the campaign. She said, “All credit goes to God, Brother Shafie, UNI MLC and her team who worked tirelessly over the years. She thanked all the employees for their support and praises those who have dared to vote for their Union. I am greatly moved by the emotional support shown by Brother Shafie who drove every day during the three ballot days from Kuala Lumpur to the DiGi head office just to see me for less than an hour. Nobody else could provide this kind of support from the UNI MLC Malaysia and inspiration by Brother Shafie. My committee prayed and worked very hard for this success too.” She recalled in detail many examples of efforts and activities by the DiGi/Telenor Management to prevent the formation of the DGEU and the grievances endured by DiGi employees that have motivated her to continue the struggle for the recognition of the DGEU.

Christopher Ng UNI Apro Regional Secretary congratulates the DGEU for the stunning win of the secret ballot. He salutes Carina and Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal, UNI MLC President for their inspiring leadership, unwavering determination and strategic planning. Their team of UNI MLC organizers and DGEU committee members have shown true grit, teamwork, determination and commitment throughout this challenging period. He urge the DiGi Management to respect the employees' decision by accepting the union and welcome them as a partner to grow DiGi for the benefit of customers, employees and shareholders.

UNI Apro Director for Organising and Campaigns Satoshi Tamai deemed it a privilege to have been a witness to the amazing win. He urge the UNI MLC and the DGEU to share their experiences with other unions – especially their innovative and strategic response to the numerous obstacles placed in their way to discourage the Digi employees from voting for the union.

UNI MLC President Mohamed Shafie attributed the success of their campaign to the solidarity of the DiGi employees and the DiGi Employees’ Union Committee under the committed leadership of DGEU President Carina. He stressed the critical needs for absolute unity and solidarity between the employees and the DGEU committee members to fend against any attempt to prevent the growth of the DGEU. He pledged the fullest support of the UNI MLC.

The forum endorsed the follow up plan that include campaign to recruit all eligible DiGi employees into DGEU and preparations for the negotiation with the DiGi Management to conclude the first collective agreement in the soonest.