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?
“If they can handle it, we’d be happy… It would make our work easier,”
Radzi told reporters after a briefing in Kuala Lumpur on Umno’s upcoming
annual general assembly.
<p>He was commenting on the call by Deputy Human Resources Minister Abdul Rahman
Bakar that the ministry be given full control over the issue of migrant workers.</p>
<p>While the Home Ministry approves work permits and regulates the entry of foreign
workers, the Human Resources Ministry is responsible for the welfare of workers
once they are within the country.</p>
<p>Abdul Rahman said burgeoning problems linked to foreign workers – including
their impact on the local population and workforce – have reached critical proportions.</p>
<p>At the root of the issue, said Abdul Rahman, is the overlapping of ministerial
jurisdictions.</p>
<p>Conceding this today, Radzi said it was not only the home and human resources
ministries but Tourism Ministry and the International Trade and Industry Ministry
that have a stake in the entry of foreigners into the country.</p>
<p>Radzi said the Tourism Ministry, for example, and its efforts to promote Malaysia
as a tourism destination meant there would be objections to doing away with
the visa on arrival (VOA) issued to tourists.</p>
<p>This is despite the fact that many of the 120,000 ‘tourists’ issued
VOAs violate immigration regulations by working or carrying out business while
in the country.</p>
<p>“It’s not our jurisdiction. It’s the Tourism Ministry. They
say the application (VOA) has to be approved, so we have to approve. It means
they cannot be turned back,” said Radzi.</p>
<p><b><font color="8000000">No compromise on security</font></b></p>
<p>He also said a crucial consideration to be addressed was the issue of security
in relation to migrant workers.</p>
<p>“Our concern is that we cannot compromise on security,” he said.</p>
<p>On the recommendation by Abdul Rahman that there be a temporary moratorium
on the intake of foreign workers, Radzi said he was also open to it.</p>
<p>Again, however, there were many other quarters unhappy with the move on the
grounds it may halt many development projects, he said.</p>
<p>“I can stop (the influx of workers). But the industries may get angry,”
he said.</p>
<p>Radzi also disclosed that a report on the country’s actual workforce needs
and economic situation – jointly conducted by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU)
and the Human Resources Ministry – would be tabled to the cabinet in two weeks’
time.</p>
<p>Until that report has been tabled, said Radzi, he would reserve comment on
whether – and to what extent – his ministry had approved an excessive number
of foreign workers’ permits in relation to the actual needs of companies
in the country.</p>
<p>“We’ll wait for the report first from EPU,” he said.</p>
<p><i>Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/74022</i>
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