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?
RAWANG, Nov 11 (Bernama) — The Home Ministry wants local employers not to use the services of agents when hiring foreign workers.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said they should apply directly to the ministry to avoid the risk of being cheated by irresponsible agents.
“These employment agents are smart; after receiving the payments from the employers, they don’t pay the levy or make any payment to obtain the permit for the foreign workers recruited.
“This is what makes a legal foreign worker to become illegal and the ones with their employment period expired also to become illegals…but foreign workers are smuggled in, causing a big problem to the ministry,” he told reporters after opening the Textiles and Manufacturing Sdn Bhd’s operations building, here, today.
Ahmad Zahid was asked on the influx of illegal foreign workers in Cameron Highlands.
The home minister also issued a stern warning to employers not to hire foreigners holding the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) card.
“They cannot work here….although there is demand for them to work in certain sectors. The employment agencies are offering workers to employers who are illegally clearing land (for agriculture).
“To date, 141 UNHCR card holders in have been nabbed by the Immigration authority in Cameron Highlands,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid stressed that to stem the problem of illegals, the state and local authorities including the Land Office, should inform immediately about the presence of illegals in their areas to the enforcement agencies such as the police and Immigration Department.
However, the Immigration Department’s enforcement division must not carry out enforcement action seasonally but throughout the year, including during the days of festival celebrations, he said.
On another note, Ahmad Zahid suggested the use of high-definition closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at crime hot spots for monitoring purpose.
“Arrests can be made within two to three hours with the help of the clear CCTV recordings. We hope to use modern policing techniques from foreign countries.
“I hope in the coming 11th Malaysia Plan, the government will provide a big allocation to improve the monitoring, prevention and combating of crime,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who recently attended Interpol’s 83rd General Assembly in Monaco, said among the matters discussed at the event was cooperation among the member states in preventing and fighting crime.
Source: — BERNAMA
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