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?
Malaysian parliamentarian Dr Wee Ka Siong said such a mechanism was urgently
needed as more workers were crossing national borders to look for jobs than
ever before, with many seeking overseas employment through agents or intermediaries.
<p>Speaking at the IPU Second Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance
and Trade in conjunction with the union’s 116th meeting here today, he said
that Malaysia had to deal with new social problems arising from the presence
of about 1.8 million registered foreign workers.</p>
<p>Explaining that 220,000 people would join the labour force in Malaysia every
year, he said: "It’s a challenge to provide employment opportunities to
this group.</p>
<p>"Indeed, a critical challenge that we need to address is the attitude
of local workers who’re unwilling to accept low-level employment positions.
This forces the nation to rely on foreign labour."</p>
<p>In an effort to avoid over-dependence on foreign workers, he said, the Malaysian
government was currently structuring programmes aimed at changing the attitudes
of Malaysian youths to prepare them for the job market.</p>
<p>The IPU meeting on this resort island, which sees the participation of 1,300
members of parliaments from 126 countries, entered its fifth and penultimate
day Thursday.</p>
<p>– BERNAMA</p>
<p><i>Source: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=259926</i>
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