On 11.01.2023, we lost one of our very own former staff, Balakrishnan Nadeson, who succumbed to his illness. Balakrishnan, or rather Union Bala as we affectionately called him, worked with SAM some time in the 80s and 90s before he returned to join the trade union movement. Bala was a trade unionist with a heart of gold.
The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) Penang Division recently paid a tribute to him in a press release describing him as,
“…a rare breed – campaigner for workers’ rights, a proponent for workers occupational safety and health, for environmentalism, consumerism and civil society movement. His integrity was unquestionable and his commitment to the workers cause unwavering.”
K Veeriah, Secretary of MTUC
Even after he left SAM, he continued to be a close friend and ally of SAM and the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP). We will miss him dearly.
We extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the family of Bala. We hope that his transformative work within the trade union movement will continue to be an inspiration to many young activists.
Rest in power, Bala.
Board and Staff of SAM