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?
They are now the focus of the Human Resource Ministry’s enforcement efforts.
<p>Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar said more 80% of the
50,000 workers employed in such restaurants had no insurance coverage. </p>
<p>“Since the highest number of errant employers are owners of these restaurants,
our enforcement will target this group first.</p>
<p>“Those guilty of the offence can be fined up to RM20,000 for each uninsured
employee under the Workers Compensation Act,” he told reporters after the
presentation of the Workers’ Safety and Health Excellence Award yesterday.
</p>
<p>Abdul Rahman said the ministry had directed its 322 enforcement officers to
start checking mamak and nasi kandar restaurants nationwide from today to ensure
that they comply with the ruling, which required employers of foreign workers
to take up the RM72 per year insurance for each worker. </p>
<p>“We are not discriminating against them. It is just that we are starting
with them because they are the biggest group of employers who have yet to comply
with the ruling,” he said.</p>
<p>“They are aware of this ruling and they have been warned before, but still
they refuse to provide coverage for their workers.”</p>
<p>On the of safety and health of workers, Abdul Rahman, who is also chairman
of the National Council on Occupational Safety and Health, said the ministry
would carry out a series of campaigns in schools and universities to create
greater awareness on safety at the work place. </p>
<p>He also said the Workers’ Safety and Health Policy, which would spell
out long-term efforts in ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, would
be ready next year.
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