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?
However, both Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Australian counterpart John Howard refused to be pressured into a naming a deadline on the conclusion to negotiations for the free trade agreement (FTA), which was expected to enhance even more trade and investments between the two countries.
<P>Abdullah said both Howard and himself had not decided when the negotiations could be concluded.</P>
<P>“But we are aware that our respective officials are working hard on that,” he said.</P>
<P>He added that Malaysia would like to see more investments from Australia
in the meantime.</P>
<P>“This is because a lot of Malaysians are already investing in Australia,” said Abdullah.</P>
<P>Howard, who was leading a 12-man delegation on a three-day official visit to Malaysia beginning Wednesday, said it was important for negotiations between the two countries “not to get hung up on a particular time”.</P>
<P>“We have to do it (negotiations) methodically and a hastily put together FTA can often be counter-productive,” he said.</P>
<P>Besides trade and investment, both Prime Ministers also spoke on the “legacy” of good ties enjoyed in the field of education, with Abdullah promising to send more Malaysian students to Australia.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com