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 government fully understands the thinking and concerns of the people on the matter," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times newspaper.
<P>"I would like to assure that the nation’s interest will
always be safeguarded and would not be sacrificed in any way," he said.</P><P>Abdullah,
speaking after a cabinet meeting Wednesday failed to settle the debate, said ministers
would meet again next week to continue the discussions.</P><P>Malaysian farmers,
activists and opposition parties have demanded a halt to negotiations on an FTA
with the United States which they say will damage livelihoods.</P><P>Malaysia
is the 10th largest trading partner of the United States and the FTA needs to
be settled by the end of March to give the US Congress the requisite time of three
months to consider the deal.</P><P>The timetable is tight because US President
George W Bush loses his Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which allows deals to
be fast-tracked, on July 1 and there are doubts that the now Democrat-controlled
Congress will renew the provision. – AFP</P><P><I>Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/64236</I>
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