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?
The Labour Department in Muar has promised to look into the issue of more than 500 unpaid and starving migrant workers abandoned by a bankrupt factory, the Johor branch of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) said today.
“We have sent a letter to the department and will discuss the matter with them. Their officer said they will deal with the matter as soon as possible,” Johor MTUC secretary K Mohanandas told Malaysiakini today.
Malaysiakini called the Muar Labour Department for a response but was unable to reach the officer-in-charge.
At least 531 foreign workers of the furniture factory lost their jobs after the factory went belly-up.
Not having paid their salaries since August, the workers are no longer extended credit for food items and are now said to be starving.
Apart from the Labour Department, the state Health Department also plans to send officers to conduct check-ups on the workers, while some non-governmental organisations will also help out by providing food, Mohanandas (left) said.
As for the power supply to their residential units, which the workers fear would be cut because they owe Tenaga Nasional Bhd about RM10,000 in fees, he said electricity is still available at present.
The workers believe the factory owner neither ran away nor left the country, he said, and the factory may soon be placed under receivership.
The (former) employer is still responsible for sending the workers back to their countries of origin, Mohanadas added, as their working permits have expired.
Source: Malaysiakini
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