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?
MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said employers are actually demanding
for guest workers at a time when Malaysia is facing high unemployment.
<p>"They are clearly asking for migrant workers instead of stating the shortage
by number of workers needed," he told malaysiakini in a recent exclusive
interview.</p>
<p>"This phenomenon must be taken seriously because globalisation poses a
major threat to job security."</p>
<p>He, however, also noted the dilemma the government is facing in providing migrant
labour and keeping the local unemployment rate low.</p>
<p>"The presence of guest workers does threaten the job market for locals,
but we also need to consider their plight in being forced by circumstances to
earn a living away from their homes.</p>
<p>"Ultimately in the battle for jobs, only the employers win because they
suppress wages and use discriminatory devices to keep costs down," he said
during the four-hour interview at the MTUC headquarters.</p>
<p>Syed Shahir said only a clear government policy on migrant labour can resolve
the unfair distribution of job opportunities in the country.</p>
<p>"The challenge is for the government to not allow itself to be blackmailed
by employers who dictate terms and to bring in large numbers of foreign workers."</p>
<p>One of the challenges facing the MTUC, he said, is to bring gender sensitisation
and the rights of women workers beyond traditional maternity issues into the
mainstream.</p>
<p><b>Big union challenge</b></p>
<p>"But we have to do it carefully given the local scenario as each country
has its own peculiarities and values. It is through political consciousness
and education that we can achieve this without scaring people off."</p>
<p>He said attracting young members into the labour movement is another big challenge
for the MTUC.</p>
<p>"We want them to have a sense of belonging to trade unions and achieving
this will be a huge challenge for us.</p>
<p>"However, I’m confident that we can do it by first listening to what they
want and also speaking the language of the young."</p>
<p>As labour issues get increasingly complex and complicated, he said young workers
should start preparing from now and not wait until working terms and conditions
have deteriorated.</p>
<p>"I dread the day when our children or grandchildren think of trade unions
as dinosaurs.</p>
<p>"They must see us not as an organisation reserved for old folks but as
a progressive movement that can retain its relevancy in the long-term."</p>
<p>Syed Shahir believes that greater and more direct participation by young workers
would be one way to attract more new faces to join trade unions.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com