Founding Background, Development Trajectory, and Social Impact
The origins of associations (commonly known as unions in the past) can be traced back to the eighteenth century in England, when in 1810 the first union were formed consisting of workers from different sectors. The purpose of forming unions is to protect the rights and interests of workers and to strive for better working conditions and wages. In the late middle ages, unions became central to the economic and social life of the city. It plays an important role and influence in social affairs, such as philanthropy, education, public affairs management and politics, and is now represented in the municipal bodies of many cities in many countries.
Associations have played an important role in both history and modern times, with some of the main functions depending on the type of association and the industry it belongs to:
- Protect the rights and interests of members
- Standardize industry standards
- Provide training and education
- Promote the development of the industry
- Provide legal and financial support
- Maintain professional ethics
- Representing industry interests
- Provide social and cultural support
- Undertake charitable and public welfare activities
- Information and resource sharing
In Malaysia, associations are mainly categorized into political associations and industry-specific associations. According to data from the Registry of Societies (ROS) Malaysia, there are over 85,513 registered associations nationwide. These associations are dedicated to protecting the rights of members.