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 the failure of about 170,000 employers to contribute to Socso left
6.5 million workers all over the country without any protection in the event
they are involved in work place accident.
<p>"The number is big and we are looking for these errant employers. We don’t
want employers who only think of profits and not the well-being of their workers,"
he told reporters after officiating the "Second Conference on Occupational
Health 2006" here.</p>
<p>Up to now this year, Socso has begun legal proceedings on 17 companies that
failed to contribute.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, he said the number of Socso compensation receipients are expected
to come down to 60,000 as more workers are aware of the occupational safety
and health this indirectly reduced the number of work place accidents.</p>
<p>About 61,182 cases are reported last year, a drop compared to 69,132 cases
in 2004.</p>
<p>Abdul Rahman said the accident rate for every 1,000 workers also dropped from
6.7 to 4.5 workers that is the same average recorded in several developed country.</p>
<p>A total of RM890 million in compensation was paid out by Socso last year and
this figure is expected to decline this year as the number of accidents in work
place reduces.– BERNAMA
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com