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?
By CELINE FERNANDEZ
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—Rioting at hard-disk-drive plants in Malaysia this week involving mostly Nepalese migrant workers provided a rare glimpse at the grievances among workers who say they face cramped living conditions and unfair working conditions, including limited access to medical facilities.
Tuesday’s rioting and similar incidents Friday and Saturday at plants belonging to JCY HDD Technology in Johor, southern Peninsular Malaysia, didn’t result in any deaths or injuries.
JCY International 5161.KU +1.47% Bhd., the parent of JCY HDD, said in a statement Wednesday that operations at one of its subsidiaries’ plants, in Kulaijaya, would be suspended temporarily as the company takes steps to reach an amicable settlement with workers. The plant suffered only superficial damage, JCY said, and production supply of hard-disk-drive components to customers including Western Digital Corp. WDC +0.88% and Seagate PLC partially resumed Thursday.
Trade unionists and activists monitoring issues affecting migrant workers in Malaysia described the riots, which followed earlier peaceful protests, as something of a wake-up call.
“Malaysia desperately needs foreign workers. But I think there needs to be a comprehensive policy when it comes to migrant workers. That would include adequate living conditions, adequate working conditions, safety and health measures,” said Glorene Das, program director at Malaysia-based nonprofit Tenaganita. She said some companies don’t really comply with these standards, which are required by the government.
JCY International said its hard-disk-drive operation provides accommodation for foreign workers, mainly in purpose-built hostels professionally managed by outside contractors.
The recent incidents aren’t the first in which JCY has encountered tension with migrant workers. In August 2010, more than 5,000 people protested following the death of a Nepalese worker at the factory in Tebrau, an industrial estate in the state of Johor.
Mohana Das Krishnan, secretary of the Johor branch of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, said the workers told him the latest disturbances came after a worker’s family was perceived to have been given inadequate compensation after the man died from an illness. The MTUC is helping the foreign workers in the latest dispute.
After news of the death spread, about 2,000 Nepalese workers at one of the plants didn’t show up for work, according to the account provided to Mr. Mohan. They gathered at their hostel and threw missiles and overturned a vehicle parked in the four-story building’s compound.
JCY said all migrant workers employed at its plants are covered by mandatory workmen’s compensation insurance and that it makes additional, voluntary compensation payments to their families if any worker dies during their employment contract. JCY also said it provides a 24-hour in-house medical clinic at its factories in Tebrau and appoints external panel clinics for its workers working in Kulaijaya.
Mr. Mohan said rioting at the other plant began in part after a manager allegedly provided workers with a stone to use as a ball when they wanted to play a game of volleyball.
Gopal kishnam Nadesan, secretary-general of the MTUC, said, “There were some fundamental issues between the workers and management which were not handled well. This is the result.”
Calvin Lim, investor-relations manager at JCY International, said in a telephone interview, “All allegations will be investigated.”
Police said 49 workers were detained and will be remanded for two weeks to help in their investigations.
Write to Celine Fernandez at Celine.Fernandez@wsj.com
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com