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 YISWAREE PALANSAMY
KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel today said he requested for the Home Ministry to legalise foreign workers in Cameron Highlands to overcome the labour shortage in farms there.
In reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena), Palanivel who is also Cameron Highlands MP said that many Chinese farm owners appealed for his intervention over the ongoing crackdown on illegal immigrant workers there.
“Many Chinese farm owners asked me to retain their farm helpers on their 30-40 acre-land.
“There are many immigrants and I feel we have to also take care of them. Many are from Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia and we have to approve them… I hope an approval can be received from the Home Ministry, from Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi,” Palanivel added.
Palanivel also defended himself in the lower house over criticism from Pahang ruler, Sultan Ahmad Shah, who censured the former last year for allegedly failing to address the flood problem in Cameron Highlands.
“I have made many visits to Cameron Highlands… over 40 times from 2013-2014,” Palanivel said, adding that he had also discussed with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob prior to his visit to Peru during the flood.
On November 5 last year, five people died in a landslide and mud flood which hit Ringlet after water from a nearby river overflowed after heavy rain.
The incident was the second major one at the highlands after the Bertam Valley floods on October 23, 2013. This was because the Bertam River overflowed after water was released from the Sultan Abu Bakar Hydroelectric Dam.
Four died, while over 100 lost their homes in that incident.
– See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/palanivel-asks-zahid-to-legalise-migrant-workers-to-help-cameron-farms#sthash.yAED4DGP.dpuf
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com