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 nine, aged 30 to 77, said their employer met them on Thursday evening and verbally told them not to report for work on Friday as the company had terminated their services.
<p>The workers, who have served from one year to 17 years, also claimed the management
did not explain their dismissal.</p>
<p>The victims, who are indirectly employees of the multinational company at the
Prai Industrial Estate here, said they have sought the help of the Malaysian
Trades Union Congress (MTUC) for reinstatement.</p>
<p>Lee Kim Hua, 75, said she was upset over the sudden decision of the company
to terminate her employment.</p>
<p>"I have been working with the company for 17 years and even earned praise
for my hard work and skills," she said.</p>
<p>"I also do not understand why the company did not compensate me for the
retrenchment."</p>
<p>Lee, from Taman Mewah in Butterworth, has eight children aged 40 to 50, and
they are low wage earners and have their own families to support.</p>
<p>Sum Foong Looi, 31, said she had been working with the company for the past
year and expressed shock over her overnight termination.</p>
<p>She said she was paid a salary of RM91 for working six days in this month.</p>
<p>Tan Yau Hock, 39, who also worked for the company for the past year, said he
has a family of five to support and feels devastated by the termination.</p>
<p>"I want the company to re-employ me and my colleagues," he said.</p>
<p>When contacted, a company spokesman said they terminated only four people above
the age of 60, and had asked the others to find their own transport as the company
had stopped providing van services for the workers.</p>
<p>MTUC’s Penang division’s industrial relations secretary V. Vijay
said the union will be filing for reinstatement for the affected workers at
the Penang Industrial Relations Department today.</p>
<p>He said the union was aware the company had made the termination decision after
bringing in foreign workers to replace the locals.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com