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?
The
proposed changes to the Employment Act include a cap on the amount of compensation
awarded by industrial courts to retrenched workers and a review of the rights
of probationary workers to seek redress through the courts or the Labour Department.
<P>The
proposals were made by employers who want greater flexibility to respond to global
changes.</P><P>However, such changes should be accompanied by a retrenchment fund
for affected workers, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said
yesterday.</P><P>"Employers are asking for laws to be more flexible to let
them reduce the size of their workforce due to economic changes, or mergers and
acquisitions. This is the reality of a global world where companies have to compete
with each other.</P><P>"They say the current laws do not make it easy for
them to carry out such restructuring to face the competition.</P><P>"While
we will look at their proposals, we also want to ensure that there will be a safety
net for retrenched workers," Fong said after his ministry’s post-Cabinet
meeting yesterday.</P><P>Fong first announced the proposed retrenchment fund last
month.</P><P>The ministry’s secretary-general is heading a committee which
includes the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) and the Malaysian Employers
Federation (MEF) to study the matter.</P><P>Fong said talks should finish by June.</P><P>He
has asked both MTUC and MEF to find ways of amending the law while protecting
the welfare of workers.</P><P>The retrenchment fund is likely to be made up from
contributions from employers and workers, and will be distributed as a monthly
allowance to retrenched workers for a limited time or until they find new jobs.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com