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?
Nadia Othman
Former Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president Muhammad Abas is flabbergasted that Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) sacked its workers for participating in a picket.
The former Railwaymen’s Union of Malaya (RUM) president said such action was never taken against workers under his leadership.
“There was once when we had a picket for 23 days and no one was sacked. But workers were sacked for this picket which only lasted for three days.”
Muhammad stressed that the company cannot, in any way, interfere with the activities conducted by the union.
He said RUM should forward the matter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as this may affect the country’s image if the issue draws international attention.
“As the former RUM president, I urge KTMB to re-employ the sacked workers,” he said in commenting on the sacking of two top union leaders – RUM president Abdul Razak Md Hassan and his deputy R Subramaniam.
Hundreds of RUM members participated in the May 9 picket to demand for the resignation of KTMB president Elias Kadir as they claimed that the company had performed dismally under his leadership.
Source: Malaysiakini
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