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?
Until investigations are completed, the new intake at the college in Alor Star
has been stopped.
<p>Immigration enforcement chief Datuk Ishak Mohamed said following a tip-off
from a former student, the immigration department sent a team to the college
on Thursday, which led them to a carpet shop in Sungai Petani. </p>
<p>A 47-year-old woman who works at the college and two Pakistanis were detained.
The Pakistanis had violated their social and student visas by working at the
woman’s shop. </p>
<p>Ishak believes that local syndicates were recruiting foreign students to work
at their business premises. </p>
<p>A student visa costs only RM60 while work permits range between RM700 and RM1,500
depending on the sectors they work in. </p>
<p>Ishak said during the visit the team found that classes were not conducted
as scheduled. </p>
<p>“We found that there were no classes between 9.30am and 10.30am although
the time-table stated there would be four classes. The clerk who is supposed
to take down attendance did not check their presence,” he said. </p>
<p>The number of students at the college hostel also did not tally with those
registered there, he said, adding that the college’s activities have been
reported to the Higher Education Ministry for further action. </p>
<p>Four rooms at the hostel were also found to be stores for carpets and religious
books, which Ishak believed were being sold by the students. </p>
<p>He also said that checks at various colleges in peninsular Malaysia from January
to Aug 31 discovered that 1,271 registered students were “missing”
and some were found trading at outlets in Petaling Street, Bukit Bintang and
Central Market in Kuala Lumpur last month. </p>
<p>In Alor Star, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said he was not aware
that a private college in Kedah was involved in the scam. </p>
<p>“We have not been informed of the matter. If it is true, I am sure the
federal authorities concerned would take the necessary action,” he said.
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