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?
On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that employers
can now hire foreign workers from non-traditional countries like Nepal, Burma
and India to work in any sector.
Azmi told reporters at Parliament lobby today that the policy will take effect
immediately, adding that “it is a good move because it allows employers
to decide”.
“Now the big problem I’m facing is that there are agents who take a lot
of money from the workers in some countries to bring them here,” he said.
He said it was not healthy for middleman to work in cohort with employers to
bring in workers from a certain country only just because there is money to
be made for doing so.
Employers, the minister emphasised, should only take in workers based on their
capability and suitability for the job and not because they come from a country
where they (employers) can make money.
The new government ruling was to overcome the acute shortage of manpower affecting
several industries. Previously, the workers were restricted to particular sectors,
depending on their country of origin.
Gender discrimination claim
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn told Parliament today
that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) did not discriminate against its female cabin crew.
Replying to a query from Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh), he explained the provisions
in the collective agreement (CA) between MAS and its employees union did not
contradict any laws.
On the provision that female cabin crew are not permitted to be pregnant during
the first five years of service, the minister said it was agreed between the
two parties in the CA and MAS has the rights to impose the condition.
On the early retirement age for female crew, Fong noted that they are given
a special gratuity for the early retirement age.
“Since the CA is signed voluntary by both parties, the ministry is of
the view that those conditions are fair and do not contain gender discrimination,”
he told the House.
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