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?
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) — The government has taken steps towards a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with source countries for foreign workers to resolve the problem of runaway workers.
Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said the MoU would also benefit employers who have to face that problem.
“The issue of runaway workers is caused by several factors, either personal in nature or external factors faced by the workers,” he said when winding-up the debate on the Supply Bill 2016 for the ministry at the Dewan Rakyat here today.
Riot said that to date, the government had an MoU with Indonesia on the policy for wages for workers from the republic.
He said with the MoU, any employer who takes in Indonesian workers would get a guarantee and protection if the worker runs away.
Riot also said the ministry and the Home Ministry had met with the Indonesia government on Oct 15 and 16 to discuss the government-to-government mechanism so that the issue of runaway workers is tackled.
The Dewan Rakyat will not sit next week due to the Deepavali holidays. It will resume on Nov 16.
Source: Bernama
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