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?
It would be fairly easy to bring back the workers from Malaysia on the ground
that their continued agitation for better work and better pay, in the opinion
of some, might affect Bangladesh’s image abroad. But such a step, if taken,
will only mean dealing with surface conditions rather than going to the bottom
of the issue. One does not need to be reminded that for the past many years,
our workers in Malaysia (as also in the Middle East) have been subjected to
much exploitation and discrimination. They have often been swindled by agents
here in Bangladesh and once they have found themselves in Malaysia discovered
that agents there too put them through innumerable difficulties. Most of these
workers sell their meagre property at home and even take out loans from others
in order to pay recruiting agencies for lucrative jobs abroad. Ironically, they
soon discover that not only have they not been given the jobs promised earlier
but have in fact been given a Hobson’s choice of accepting far more lowly jobs
or go without any job altogether. Worse, these workers are often subjected to
ill treatment by their employers.
<p>The problem, therefore, is not always of the workers’ making. It is clear that
recruiting agencies in Dhaka as well as some companies in Malaysia are responsible
for the issues the agitating workers in Kuala Lumpur have highlighted. There
are now two steps that we can suggest. In the first place, as part of its drive
against corruption, the ACC can investigate any recruiting agency responsible
for workers’ plight. In the second, as the recipient country, Malaysia can undertake
similar action against its own companies, which have been responsible for the
plight of Bangladesh’s workers. Our workers need a fair deal. Why must they
be deprived of that, especially when their contributions to the host country’s
economy is undeniable?<br>
<br>
<i>http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=4104</i>
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com