PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has criticised the human resources ministry after it said the non-representation of workers at the recently concluded International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva was caused by the absence of legitimate leadership in MTUC.

In a statement, MTUC alleged the ministry was trying to “mislead the public”.

“It is undisputed that the current leadership of MTUC is the joint special committee,” said J Solomon, the chairman of the committee.

He clarified that MTUC’s internal election process — scheduled for Aug 2 and 3, 2025 — is under way and progressing well.

The nation’s largest labour union has effectively been without a working committee after a High Court ruling in 2023 declared the triennial election held a year earlier was null and void, triggering an extended internal dispute.

In February, the Court of Appeal consented to an agreement to set up a joint special committee to run MTUC and hold a fresh election within 90 days.

MTUC will hold its triennial election at a special delegates conference in early August to resolve the impasse.