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?
Its president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said its main concern was whether the
nation’s workforce would be able to make ends meet due to the increasing cost
of consumer goods and services.
<p>"Bus and taxi fares have gone up and soon the cost of foodstuff will also
increase. So, how can workers cope when their salaries remain unchanged?"
asked Syed Shahir. </p>
<p>He said the MTUC was expecting a very serious snowball effect as a result of
the Government’s decision to increase fuel prices twice within eight months.
</p>
<p>"The MTUC hopes that the Government as well as employers will take this
into consideration and raise wages to complement the escalating price of essential
goods and services," he added. </p>
<p>He said that it would only be fair if the relevant parties raised wages to
commensurate with the expected increase in prices. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, former Cuepacs secretary-general A.H. Ponniah said the MTUC would
probably face serious trouble from the current inflationary trends, which threatened
to adversely affect workers. </p>
<p>"The increase in fuel prices and transportation costs, among other things,
will certainly evolve into big problems for the MTUC because there is no corresponding
wage rise for workers," added Ponniah. </p>
<p>He said many workers were trapped in collective agreements with their employers,
which did not take into consideration the price increases.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com