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?
The picket led by KPD Workers Union President, Hj. Joibi Dambul, was held in
front of Wisma Pertanian and also participated by workers from Keningau, Ranau,
Kota Marudu, Klias besides the State capital.
<p>The group demanded they be paid their bonuses and also salary increments amounting
to RM8.6 million which they claimed were owed to them for as many as six years.</p>
<p>Joibi said there were no indications of them getting a pay raise as accorded
to the civil servants, let alone bonuses.</p>
<p>"Although we have been promised that we will be given bonus É that
was in 2004. And until today we have not received a single cent."</p>
<p>He said the Union had tried to settle the matter through negotiations but nothing
had been forthcoming.</p>
<p>"We had over the last years held talks, sent memorandum to KPD management,
Labour Department, Cuepacs and other top officials but no action has been taken,"
he said, adding they have also sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister in August.</p>
<p>"We have been seeking assistance from everyone but our voices are not
being heard and no one seems to care about our welfare," he added.</p>
<p>However, he said KPD through its Human Resource Manager, Liman Hj. Yusuf had
stated that KPD does not have sufficient funds to accommodate their demands.</p>
<p>"Instead we were told that if we need the money, we have to write in and
only with good reasons would we be entertained," he said.</p>
<p>According to Joibi they were given two criteria before they could get the money,
namely, for children’s education purposes and emergency cases.</p>
<p>According to him most of them have loans to service, expenses to cover as well
as difficulties coping with rising cost of living.</p>
<p>"We hope that this time around the State government will help us,"
he said.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com