Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
He said the additional allowances could be included in the Collective Agreement
(CA) between the employers and workers.
<p>In doing so, the burden of workers as a result of rising cost of living, including
fuel prices, could be reduced similar to the benefits for workers in the public
sector who were given the Cost of Living Allowance (Cola), he said.</p>
<p>"I have discussed many times with the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF)
and mentioned the ministry’s suggestion to give additional allowance (like Cola)
to employees in the private sector," he added after opening a blood donation
campaign here.</p>
<p>He said a number of employers had introduced new salary schemes which took
into consideration the rising cost of living.</p>
<p>"Many new CAs have included travelling claims and transport allowance
or other travelling allowances, which take into consideration the rising cost
of living.</p>
<p>"Almost all (employers or companies), whether big or small, have CAs which
include these new allowances," he added.</p>
<p>Fong said he had instructed the Labour Office to monitor the matter and to
ensure the message from the ministry reached them.</p>
<p>On a newspaper report last July 27 that the Malaysian Trades Union Congress
(MTUC) was disappointed with the ministry’s proposal to form a special body
to study the introduction of Cola for its 700,000 members, he said the ministry
was still studying the matter.</p>
<p>He said the ministry was more concerned with ensuring that new allowances in
the CA were implemented before introducing the Cola to MTUC members.</p>
<p>"It is fairer (for the workers), taking into consideration the hike in
prices of goods," he added. — BERNAMA
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com