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?
But their employers, many of whom pay them as little as RM240 a month, are
getting away with it, giving the lack of a minimum wage policy for foreign workers
in the country, its acting Consul General Didik Eko Pujianto said.
<p>He said the Consulate office had been receiving reports every month from the
estate employers or owners that their Indonesian workers have absconded from
their premises.</p>
<p>However, upon investigation, the office discovered that the workers ran away
because they were not treated well. The main reason being they were underpaid.</p>
<p>"These Indonesian plantation workers are paid a daily wage of RM8 per
day which amounts to RM240 per month. Some gave to endure deduction due to their
levy for the work permits like RM50 per month and would be left with RM190,"
he said.</p>
<p>Didik said the wage for Indonesian workers employed in the country in the country
has not been raised since 1970s.</p>
<p>On whether the Consulate would propose to the Federal government to have a
minimum wage policy for Indonesian workers in Malaysia, Didik said the Malaysian
government does not have such system for foreign workers yet.</p>
<p>He said once the workers abscond, the employers would return the passports
and supporting documents to the Consulate. These employers were allowed to keep
the passports to do the necessary documents for the workers like acquiring foreign
employment cards from the Immigration Department.</p>
<p>Didik said the absconded workers should come to the Consulate to resolve their
problems instead of on the run for their entire life or being arrested later
by the enforcement agencies here.</p>
<p>He also urged the State government to address the matter and take action not
only on Indonesian workers charged as illegal immigrants but also the employers
or owners of the plantations or companies that are not taking care of these
workers’ welfare.
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