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?
He said an amendment would be made to the Employment Act 1955 to make it mandatory
for employers to submit regular reports on the condition of the foreign workers
in their employment.
<p>Dr Fong told Bernama that employers were now only required to submit these
reports on the directive of the director-general of labour.</p>
<p>"But now, we will require the employers to submit to us (under the law)
the returns … this would help monitor the working condition, particularly
in the construction and services sectors," he said in an interview.</p>
<p>Dr Fong said the ILO convention required all labourers to be treated equally
and that since Malaysia allowed foreign workers in the country, it had to take
the necessary steps to avoid any differentiation between local and foreign workers.</p>
<p>He said that along with the condition reports, the employers were required
to disclose to the labour department the number of workers, the salaries paid
to these workers and the benefits, including insurance protection, provided
to them.</p>
<p>He said inspectors from the labour department would conduct checks from time
to time to verify the information provided by the employers.</p>
<p>"If it is found that they (employers) have given false information, then
they would have to face the music," he said.</p>
<p>The amendment to the Employment Act is expected to be tabled at the current
sitting of parliament as the government regarded it as an urgent matter.</p>
<p>Several international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have criticised
Malaysia in the past for not ratifying the ILO Convention related to employment
of foreign labour. Malaysia has also been accused of exploiting foreign labour,
providing these workers lower benefits and wages compared to those for the home-grown
workforce.</p>
<p>Dr Fong said the government hoped that the amendment would address the grouses
hurled at the country’s foreign labour condition, especially in the construction
and services sectors.
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