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?
<IMG height=158 hspace=5 src="images/news/2007/17670.jpg" width=250 align=left>“Seems
like nobody is interested in NUBE,” lamented NUBE secretary-general J Solomon
when met after the opening of the conference in the new NUBE training centre in
Port Dickson last night. <BR><BR>Nevertheless, the show must go on – NUBE then
decided to invite former deputy premier and finance minister Anwar Ibrahim instead
to officiate at the conference opening. <BR><BR>The surprise appearance of Anwar
– sacked in 1998 and who has since been a vocal critic of the government – was
warmly received judging from the floor response during his speech.<BR><BR><STRONG>‘We
are independent’</STRONG> <BR><BR>So does this mean NUBE - the richest and
perhaps the most controversial trade union in the country – is now anti-government? <BR><BR>“NUBE
has never been anti-government. We’ve never been anti-Malaysian. NUBE wants to
contribute […] for the best interest of the workers in the banking sector,"
said Solomon. <BR><BR>“I don’t see why anyone should get overly excited in
us inviting Anwar to our function. Today we invite the former finance minister,
tomorrow we may invite the former prime minister. We will be happy with whoever
agrees to grace our function.”</P><P>The unonist said NUBE was not aligned to
any political party but would willingly accept help from any group during its
times of need. <BR><BR><STRONG>Govt ignoring unions?</STRONG><FONT color=#800000><STRONG><BR></STRONG></FONT><BR>Meanwhile,
Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had never met with MTUC to discuss the plight
of Malaysian workers. <BR><BR>In contrast, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad
consulted the MTUC on several occasions during his premiership. <BR><BR><IMG height=203 hspace=5 src="images/news/2007/15964.jpg" width=160 align=right>“It’s
not only the workers. There are several other groups whom he had never even
acknowledged nor responded to their appeals,” said Syed Sharir, who also leads
the Parti Keadilan Rakyat Kelana Jaya division. <BR><BR>As the prime minister,
Syed Shahir said Abdullah could easily call upon any group should he be concerned
about problems they face or issues they raise. <BR><BR>“The government must be
proactive in engaging groups who are trying to relay the grouses of the people.
Maybe they are unconcerned about whether there is any support for them or not,”
he added. <BR><BR>In his speech at the function, the MTUC chief called on NUBE
delegates to move beyond engaging in industrial relation issues and into national
issues that affect all workers. <BR><BR>“Toll, electricity hikes. Inflation. Who
else is going to speak up for you?” said Syed Shahir. </P><P>The two-day NUBE
conference ended today.</P>
<P><I>Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/61758</I>
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