A majority of workers at Flextronics Technology (Penang) Sdn Bhd voted in favor of union recognition, but the effort fell short after what the union calls an aggressive anti-union campaign by management.
Out of 6,345 eligible workers, 2,748 voted—just 424 short of the 50% turnout required under Malaysian law. Despite the turnout, 92% supported the union.
The Malaysia Electronics Industry Employees’ Union Northern Region (EIEUNR) says the vote was undermined by threats, misinformation, restricted access to voter lists, and transport delays on voting days.
Up to 80 workers have since filed police reports, alleging they were blocked from voting and intimidated by supervisors.
EIEUNR is calling for a new, fair ballot and government intervention to investigate union activities interference from FLEX management.
IndustriALL Global Union also condemned Flextronics for violating workers’ rights, saying it will escalate the case internationally.
FLEX Ltd., the parent company, one of the world’s largest electronics manufacturing services companies, operates globally and was recently named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies”—a claim unionists now strongly dispute.
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