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?
Zoo Negara Malaysia is managed by Malaysian Zoological Society (MZS). It is financed by Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources (MNLNR) among others. The MZS is been accused for not providing housing quarters for the lower paid workers despite the allocation of RM1.6 million by the government in 2001.
When the Union failed to find a solution from the management since 2001, it was reported in 2018 to MTUC in which “Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Malaysian Zoological Society” (KPPMZS) is an affiliate. In its intervention MTUC had two meetings with the Director General of Labour (DGL) at which MZS admitted to have received RM1.6 million in 2001 and failed to build the promised houses.
The excuses adduced by MZS that the land was not allocated by the authorities until 2016 and RM1.6 million was inadequate to build houses in 2016.
MTUC was surprised as to how the government simply expended RM1.6 million without proper evaluation. In response to MTUC’s querry as to the number and design of houses the management stated that it was expected to build seven (7) single storied three roomed houses. Further the management was dumbfounded to MTUC’s querry about the construction cost for 7 units in 2016 and the shortfall thereto.
On 26th October 2018 the Minister of Human Resources (MOHR) YB Tuan M Kulasegaran communicated to the MWLNR for their further action since the matter in question was not within its scope.
Prior to this on 13th July 2018 the representative of MWLNR was present at the meeting chaired by the DGL.
Surprisingly, as at date there has not been any response from the said official although he was required to revert. Apparently, the Ministry official was not only been silent since 2001 but also demonstrated the art of pretending despite the grouses raised by the Union in July 2018.
We are hopeful that the Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources, YB Dr. Xavier Jayakumar will seriously address the issue immediately since it has been delayed since 2001.
MTUC takes serious note of the conduct of the MZS who has been intimidating and harassing the President, Bro. Maran s/o Rengasamy and the Deputy President Bro. Mohamed Fitri Bin Mohamed Yusoff for raising workers’ issues. It is the Malaysian population who contribute directly to the management of Zoo Negara and the government also allocates fund from the tax payers. In that sense it is disheartening to observe as to the extent B40 workers are exploited.
Both MOF and MWLNR should also engage the union during their visit so that they could get first hand information to better understand what the workforce has got to say about the exploitation and abuse of power by the management which should also be recorded. Such engagement and meaningful social dialogue is essential for the government to ensure the public money is expended productively and expressly for intended purposes.
MTUC does not wish to witness public money being abused to cheat and exploit B40 workers and therefore immediate action has to be taken by the relevant Ministries to ensure good governance.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com