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?
By Yuri Azhar Mazlan
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has asked employers not to dismiss their employees following the expected slowdown in economic growth this year.
Its executive director, Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan, said the employers, however, should reduce the companies’ costs.
“If necessary, reduce the working hours and days or limit overtime,” he told Bernama here today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in a recent interview by a local television station, said the country was not facing an economic crisis, only a slowdown in growth.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said he did not foresee any retrenchments, fewer jobs or income drops for workers.
Meanwhile, president of Malaysian Trades Union Congress, Mohd Khalid Atan, said Malaysians must not be choosy or change jobs following the slowdown in economic growth.
“Don’t take the risks to change jobs because most companies are expected to report poor results this year,” he said.
Mohd Khalid said the workers must work hard and be productivity this year and at the same time not to burden the employers with overtime and other claims.
He advised the employers to hire local workers compared to the foreigners.
“What’s happening now is that the employers preferred the foreign workers with the excuse that the salaries will be lower. By right this is not supposed to happen,” he said.
Source: Bernama
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