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?
Geraldine Tong
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has demanded that a charter airline settle the three months back pay, among other things, with their employees before Hari Raya.
About 300 employees claimed that they have not received their salaries for the last three months nor their allowance for the last six months.
They also claimed that even though their salaries were deducted for their Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (Socso), their EPF and Socso accounts have been outstanding since last year.
“This is a betrayal (by the company) and really irresponsible.
“Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations are nearing and this is putting extra burden on the workers who celebrate it,” MTUC president Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid said in at a press conference today.
The employees, with the assistance of National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam), have lodged reports with relevant authorities such as the Human Resources Ministry and the Transport Ministry. Nufam president Ismail Nasaruddin said the Transport Ministry had referred their report to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), who said they will be looking into the matter.
“They have to do it fast, before Raya,” Abdullah Sani added.
He urged the government to take immediate and harsh action against the airline.
“If the airline fails to resolve these issues with their workers immediately, MTUC urges Human Resources Minister Richard Riot to take immediate action to ensure all the workers receive their back pay without delay,” he said.
The company had earlier informed the employees that they had paid them two months’ salary, Ismail said, but when the employees checked, only some of them have received it.
Malaysiakini has tried to contact the airline and is awaiting its response.
Source: Malaysiakini
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