ABSTRACT
The Malaysian trade union movement faces a number of challenges, notably from neo-liberal policies and changing structures of employment. Unions often accuse employers of over-emphasizing profits, the return on equity and earnings per share, at the expense of the welfare and dignity of employees. Unions, which are constrained particularly by legislative controls, have also accused the state of being pro-capitalist and seeing unions as a threat to investments. Those on the management side believe unions are out to destroy free competition. As noted by Leap (1995), neither statement is entirely accurate, although each contains some elements of truth.
