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?
In his address at a Workers’ Day rally at Dataran Merdeka on Saturday, MTUC
president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said that international solidarity was crucial
given the number of multi-national companies (MNCs) in Malaysia.
<p>"It is also in tandem with the new economy, which is borderless and wide-reaching,"
he added. </p>
<p>He said MTUC’s move to strengthen links with its global peers was also aimed
at getting MNCs here to commit that Malaysian workers would be treated fairly
in line with the International Framework Agreements (IFAs). </p>
<p>The IFA is an agreement that secures the commitment of MNCs to respect workers’
rights, and practice responsibility when dealing with local communities as well
as the environment. </p>
<p>According to Syed Shahir enhancing international links would also enable MTUC
to reach out to the "mother companies" in their country of origin
in the event an MNC "misbehaved" here. </p>
<p>Syed Shahir admitted that MTUC was aware that it had to work towards strengthening
itself and its affiliates by increasing membership. </p>
<p>"We have to go back to the basics and rope more people into the trade
union movement in order to regain our former strength as well as ensure that
the voice of the nation’s workforce does not go unheard," he said. </p>
<p>Currently less than 10% of the nation’s 9.2 million workers are unionised,
mainly because MNCs prohibit their workers from forming unions. </p>
<p>Syed Shahir said MTUC would seriously pursue its aim to unionise workers in
these "troubled" sectors, as they were more often than not, left unprotected.
</p>
<p>He also emphasised on the importance of pushing for a minimum wage at the rally,
which was attended by about 5,000 people.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com