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?
SHAH ALAM, Jan 21 (Bernama) — Seventy-two employers in Selangor were fined a total of RM134,600 last year for failing to comply with the Minimum Wage Order under the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011.
Selangor Labour Department (JTK) director, Mohd Asri Abd Wahab said all the employers pleaded guilty to the 196 charges at the Magistrate’s Court.
“In addition, 43 employers were compounded for various offences for violating legal provisions under the Employment Act 1955.
“The total compound payment collected during 2015 stood at RM93,200,” he said in a statement here today.
He said in the same period, the state Labour Enforcement Task Force also investigated three complaints regarding forced labour and human trafficking under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
Mohd Asri said that three cases had been solved and one of the employers involved was charged in the Kajang Sessions Court, convicted and fined RM50,000.
“An employer exploiting five foreign nationals pleaded guilty in the Kajang Sessions Court, the remaining two cases involved two victims working as maids.
“All seven foreign victims who were rescued were deported to their home countries after receiving payment of salary arrears amounting to RM68,000 from their former employers,” he said.
Source: Bernama
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