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?
He said the Minimum Wage Monitoring Council would ensure employees such as
estate workers, especially those in Sabah and Sarawak, would be receiving a
minimum wage over the poverty level.
<p>"The ministry wants to ensure the workers are paid more than the poverty
level at the very least, and the council will help in caring for the welfare
of these workers," he told reporters after performing the earth-breaking
ceremony and launching of the second phase of Sunvilla 2 apartment project.</p>
<p>He was asked to comment on a newspaper report Friday quoting the Malaysian
Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Shafie Mamal suggesting to the government
to implement a minimum wage system according to industries to increase workforce
productivity and prevent job-hopping.</p>
<p>Dr Fong said eventhough the minimum wage scheme practised in other countries
had previously shown negative impacts on the economy, the ministry would strive
to ensure establishment of the council would not affect the relevant sectors
in the country.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com