The consultation machinery in the public service was introduced with the establishment of the Interim Joint Council in 1946 and the Whitley Council of Departments in 1950 (now known as the Joint Council). In line with the development and revolution of the Public Service since the country's independence, the Joint Council (MBJ), which is one of the platforms in the employer-employee relations mechanism in the Public Service, has also undergone a revolution.

The Joint Council (MBJ) is an important two-way medium, serving as a communication channel between Employee Representatives and management to voice opinions, perspectives, and contribute valuable ideas for the benefit and welfare of the organization.

All government agencies that directly manage and have the authority to consider and make decisions related to administrative governance, human resource management, and financial affairs are required to establish a Joint Council (MBJ). For the purpose of establishing the MBJ, a draft constitution, which has been agreed upon by both management and the employees, must be drafted first and submitted to the Public Service Department for approval.

The jurisdiction and functions of the Joint Council (MBJ) encompass matters related to the terms and conditions of service and the operational aspects of the organization concerning administration, with a focus on the interests of employees within the organization, except for issues that involve government policies or personal matters. The resolution of all raised issues must be decided through mutual consultation, discussions, and the sharing of ideas among all MBJ members.
 

In addition to addressing the issues faced by the employee group, the Joint Council (MBJ) can also serve as a forum for discussions between management and Employee Representatives. An active MBJ will indirectly foster a spirit of dedication among employees, encouraging them to serve with greater commitment and productivity. MBJ members also play a role in contributing significant and meaningful innovative ideas related to departmental governance, ensuring consistent improvements in performance and productivity.

Through this MBJ platform, many matters can be discussed, such as issues related to allowances and benefits, finances, services, service schemes and staffing, welfare, administration, and other related matters, excluding government policies or personal issues. However, if the issue pertains to policy, it can still be discussed with the aim of explaining the implementation mechanisms only.

The benefits derived from the Joint Council (MBJ) include the creation of positive relationships and attitudes between management and employees, which contribute to job satisfaction, increased productivity, improved work quality, cost savings, career advancement for employees, mutual respect, problem-solving, harmonious relationships between employers and employees, loyalty to the organization, and strengthened unity.

MBJ - Management Representatives of MBS
a)    Mayor
b)    Secretary
c)    Director of Engineering Department
d)    Director of Finance Department
e)    Director of Community Development & Tourism Department
f)     Director of Management Services Department
g)    Director of Development Planning Department
h)    Director of Valuation & Property Management Department
i)     Director of Building Control Department
j)     Director of Information Technology & Communication Department
k)    Director of Legal & Enforcement Department
l)     Director of Licensing & Entrepreneurial Development Department
m)   Director of Parks & Landscaping Department
n)    Director of Maintenance Department
o)    Deputy Director of Environmental Health Department
p)    Director of Nilai Branch Office
q)    Head of Internal Audit Unit
r)     Head of Corporate Communications Unit
s)    Head of Integrity Unit
t)     Head of One-Stop Centre (OSC) Unit
u)    Head of Building Commissioner (COB) Unit
v)    Assistant Secretary of Meeting/Procurement Secretariat Unit

MBJ - Employee Representatives
a)   Chairperson
b)   Secretary
c)   Members

• 2 Representatives from the Management & Professional Group (Grade 41-48)
• 4 Representatives from the Support Service Group I (Grade 29-40)
• 3 Representatives from the Support Service Group II (Grade 19-28)
• 4 Representatives from the Support Service Group III (Grade 1-18)
• 4 Representatives from the ANULAE Union, Seremban Branch

For more information, please contact:
Secretariat of the Joint Council (MBJ)-Employee Representative, MBS
Officer                       :    Encik Zambri bin Abdul Wahab
Telephone Number   :    06-7654816
Email                        :    zambri@mbs.gov.my

The Majlis Bersama Jabatan for the Majlis Bandaraya Seremban (hereinafter referred to as the "Council") shall consist of a total of thirty-eight members, including the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretaries. This includes the Datuk Bandar as the Chairperson, eighteen (18) members appointed by the Datuk Bandar (hereinafter referred to as the 'Management Side'), and nineteen (19) members elected by the employees working at the Majlis Bandaraya Seremban (hereinafter referred to as the 'Employee Side').

3.1   The members of the Employee Side shall consist of employees of the Majlis Bandaraya Seremban in Grade 48 and below, who are not involved in decision-making, are not Heads of Departments/Units, and are elected by the employees themselves. The rules for electing the members of the Employee Side shall follow the regulations initially prepared by a committee established by the employees of the Majlis Bandaraya Seremban and approved by the Datuk Bandar. The members of the Employee Side are as follows:

3.2   The election of the Chairperson and Secretary of the Employee Side shall be conducted from among the elected members of the Employee Side, and the election shall be carried out by the Employee Side itself without any interference from the Management Side. The Chairperson of the Employee Side will serve as the Vice-Chairperson of the MBJ, while the Secretary of the Employee Side will serve as the Joint Secretary.

3.3   Any vacancies that occur within the membership of the Employee Side shall be filled by candidates from the Group/Grade/Union that appointed the representative who vacated the position, or by the employees themselves.

3.4   The members of the Employee Side shall hold their positions for a period of two (2) years from the date of their appointment, and they may continue to hold their positions until the members who will succeed them have been appointed/elected.

4.1    The Council Officers shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Joint Secretary. The Vice-Chairperson shall be an elected member and serve as the Chairperson of the Employee Side, while the Secretary of the Management Side and the Secretary of the Employee Side shall serve as the Joint Secretaries for the Council.

5.1   The purpose of the event:

6.1   The scope and functions of the Council shall be focused solely on matters within the Council's jurisdiction, as outlined below: 

7.1   Regular meetings of the Council shall be held three (3) times a year, once every four (4) months.

7.2   The quorum for the Council meeting shall be no less than 50%, consisting of ten (10) members from the Officer's Side and ten (10) members from the Employee's Side.

7.3   The agenda for the Council meetings shall be prepared by the Joint Secretary and sent by the respective Secretaries to their respective parties no less than seven (7) days before the meeting date. Matters not included in the agenda may only be discussed with the approval of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council.

7.4   A Special Council Meeting may be held at the request of the Chairman or Vice-Chairman when necessary. The date of the meeting shall be agreed upon by the Council's officers. The matters to be discussed in the meeting shall be limited to those specified in the notice of the meeting.

7.5   If the Chairman is unable to preside over any Council meetings, a Senior Officer from the Officer's Side may preside over the meeting with the Chairman's approval. Under no circumstances shall the Vice-Chairman, who is the Chairman of the Employee's Side, preside over any Council meeting.

7.6   The minutes of the MBJ (Council Meeting) shall be signed by the Secretary of the Officer's Side and the Secretary of the Employee's Side.

8.1   All decisions of the Council shall be made through mutual agreement between the Officer's Side and the Employee's Side.

8.2   Decisions that do not relate to other departments and do not conflict with government policies may be managed or implemented directly by the Seremban City Council. For decisions that are related to government policies or other departments, they must be referred to the Public Service Department or the relevant departments.

The Constitution of the Council may be amended at any Council meeting with the approval of no less than 50% of the members from the Officer's Side and 50% of the members from the Employee's Side. Notice of the amendment must be given and distributed to the Council members at least seven (7) days before the meeting date. Any constitutional amendments approved by the Council shall be submitted to the Public Service Department for approval.

• To strengthen and enhance cooperation and good relations between MBS and its staff on matters related to the smooth governance and welfare of the staff.
• As a consultation mechanism to achieve significant and meaningful decisions between the Employee Representatives and the Management.
• To gather ideas, opinions, and views from employees through the Employee Representatives to be discussed in meetings.

As in other public organizations, the MBJ MBS consists of the MBS management and the MBJ. The Employee Representatives are made up of officers and staff in grade 48 and below (referred to as Employee Representatives, totaling 19 members). 

According to the MBJ constitution, the Management Side members consist of the Mayor, Secretary, Head of Department, and Unit Heads leading departments/units within MBS. Meanwhile, the Employee Side is made up of staff elected through voting. A total of 19 members are elected to represent the management and professional groups as well as the support groups. The Mayor will chair the MBJ three (3) times a year. In these meetings, representatives from both sides will raise issues and approaches to address the most significant concerns brought forward.

The issues that can be discussed in the MBJ are as follows:-

• Welfare matters
• Financial matters
• Administrative matters
• Service schemes and appointments
• Allowances and benefits
• Employment matters
• Other matters, excluding those related to government policies and regulations, and personal issues or individual problems.

Questions regarding government policies and regulations should be referred to the central agency by channeling them to the Trade Union or Employee Side in the National Joint Council (MBK) according to their respective services. However, further clarification or explanation regarding the implementation of policy matters may be brought to the MBJ.

Personal matters or individual issues of a civil service member should be resolved administratively. The scope covered by the MBJ is more focused on safeguarding the collective interests of the group of officers or staff as a whole. However, the MBJ can be referred to in identifying the relevant department or section that can provide assistance in resolving the issues that arise.

Generally, the benefits that can be obtained through the MBJ between the Management and Employee Representatives are as follows: