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?
This is because the Immigration Department has turned the airport’s car
park at level three of Block A into a temporary shelter for the foreigners.
<p>The Star went to check the situation yesterday after receiving complaints from
some readers who worked in KLIA. </p>
<p>The Star found that the workers had been sleeping on the floor of the car park
while waiting for their employers to pick them up. </p>
<p>There was a sign placed outside saying that temporary accommodation for foreign
workers was being built in the car park. Construction work was supposed to have
started on Aug 1 and completed by Sept 30. </p>
<p>An Immigration counter was set up to process visas and paper work for employers
and foreign worker agents, who were there to pick up the workers. </p>
<p>There were also Rela members and Federal Reserve Unit officers to guard the
workers. </p>
<p>The Immigration officers, however, refused to speak to The Star and also did
not allow the photographer to take pictures. </p>
<p>Bangladeshi Kho Kan, 30, said he arrived at the airport two days ago with 24
others. </p>
<p>“We have to use our own money to buy food while waiting for our agent
to pick us up. </p>
<p>“Our agent agreed to come and take us tonight (last night),” he said,
adding that he and his friends were told that they would be working in factories.
</p>
<p>A foreign worker agent, who only wanted to be known as Low, said he was there
to pick up 50 workers last night. </p>
<p>He said the workers were detained by the Immigration Department due to miscommunication
between the agents here and in Bangladesh. </p>
<p>“Some agents had no idea that their workers had arrived, so they were
not here to pick up the workers. If agents fail to show up within seven days
after the arrival of the workers, the workers would be deported ,” said
Low. </p>
<p>The Immigration Department and the Home Ministry could not be reached for comment.</p>
<p><i>Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/15/nation/18900394&sec=nation</i>
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