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?
MTUC secretary-general G. Rajasekaran said the Government should direct these
employers to pay a cost of living allowance (Cola) to their employees like the
RM60 to RM150 given to civil servants depending on their geographical location.
<p>"The 260 affiliates of the MTUC represent more than 500,000 workers, who
are all affected by the higher prices of goods and services.</p>
<p>"The unions want their employers to follow the gracious precedent set
by the Government," he said in a press statement yesterday.</p>
<p>Rajasekaran said the MTUC would submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the matter soon.</p>
<p>"The Government introduced a Cola payment to all public sector employees
to alleviate hardship caused by the increase in the cost of living, especially
due to the substantial increase in prices of petrol and diesel.</p>
<p>"It has affected all families directly or indirectly and the MTUC is upset
that the Government does not seem to be addressing the plight of the private
sector employees," 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