Malaysia legislation
Section 18
Section 18
(a)
an employer who is a party to the dispute or a trade union of employers representing him in the dispute; or
(b)
a trade union of workmen which is a party to the dispute.
(2)
The Director General shall consider any dispute reported to him under subsection (1) and take such steps as may be necessary or expedient for promoting an expeditious settlement thereof:
Provided that where the dispute relates to the dismissal of a workman, section 20 shall apply.
(3)
Where a trade dispute exists or is apprehended, which in his opinion is not likely to be settled by negotiation between the parties, the Director General may, if he deems it necessary in the public interest, take such steps as may be necessary or expedient for promoting a settlement thereof whether or not the trade dispute has been reported to him.
(4)
The steps taken by the Director General under subsection (2)
or (3) shall include reference of the dispute for settlement to any appropriate machinery which already exists by virtue of an agreement between or applicable to the parties to the dispute, unless—
32 Laws of Malaysia ACT 177
(a)
the dispute has already been referred to such machinery and there has been a failure to reach a settlement; or
(b)
in his opinion it is unlikely that the dispute will be promptly settled through such machinery.
(5)
Where, after having taken the steps under subsection (2) or (3), the Director General is satisfied that there is no likelihood of the trade dispute being settled, he shall notify the Minister accordingly.
Information, documents and compulsory conference for conciliation