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?
This was decided by the Cabinet on Wednesday.
<P>The attaches will specifically
deal with problems at the work place including Malaysians being cheated, stranded
and abused abroad.</P><P>Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn
said the government planned to appoint more labour attaches in other countries
with a large number of Malaysian workers.</P><P>He will discuss the matter soon
with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.</P><P>"Malaysian missions
abroad will be advising us on the need for labour attaches," he added.</P><P>Fong
said the attaches were needed as many Malaysians had been cheated by errant agents
who promised attractive salaries.</P><P>"Many Malaysians have found themselves
cheated and eventually left with no money, food or shelter overseas after they
refused to comply with the agent’s order to work in unconducive working environments
with low salaries."</P><P>Many found themselves helpless as their passports
had also been taken by the agents.</P><P>Citing an example, Fong said, the ministry
had received hundreds of complaints from Malaysians who had been cheated in Singapore.</P><P>Between
2005 and this month, 1,831 Malaysians had filed complaints with the Malaysian
Representative Office in the republic on the matter.</P><P>Some workers had also
been forced to give S$400 (RM840) in commission to the agents.</P><P>Fong said
he had ordered investigations into the matter to prevent the problem from recurring.</P><P>The
ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Thomas George, and three senior officers,
met Singapore High Commissioner T. Jasudasen on Jan 19 to discuss the issue.</P><P>It
is understood that many of the victims were from Sabah, Sarawak, Johor and Kelantan.</P><P>Fong
said there were also cases where employers joined hands with agents to cheat workers.</P><P>There
were also incidents where Malaysian workers, especially Orang Asli, had been placed
in detention camps in Singapore.</P><P>"The ministry will not hesitate to
charge agents registered with us who are found to be cheating Malaysians,"
he added.</P><P>Fong said the attaches would also help educate locals in foreign
countries on the Malaysian labour scenerio, laws and the judicial process,"
he added.</P><P>He said relatives of foreigners working in Malaysia would also
be told about their welfare.</P><P><I>Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Tuesday/National/20070220092533/Article/local1_html</I>
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