Privatisation and labour relations in Asian ports: The case of Port Klang, Malaysia

This chapter analyses the processes of change affecting the ports industry in the Asia-Pacific region, with particular attention to Port Klang, Malaysia. Port Klang is the most important of the country's seven major federal ports, and in 2005 ranked 14th among the world's top container ports (The International Association of Ports and Harbours, 2007). Port reform in the Asia-Pacific region is premised on the expected benefits of increased global economic integration, since globalisation of maritime trade and the reconfiguration of the role of the state are the two main processes driving the transformation of the industry. As such, there have been moves to corporatise this previously nationalised industry and alter its organisation and management by the separation of regulatory and commercial functions.