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?
Washington is racing to conclude negotiations
on the free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of March, giving it enough time to
present the deal to Congress before the president’s fast-track Trade Promotion
Authority expires on July 1.
<P>US Assistant Trade Representative Barbara Weisel
said during the fourth round of talks last week that the two sides were "within
striking distance" of reaching a deal before the deadline.</P><P>But Rafidah,
who has insisted Malaysia is not hostage to Washington’s timeline, said in-depth
discussions were underway, with differences in areas such as the services sector,
investment and state contracts.</P><P>"If they want to finish by July, I
do not see it happening because of so many issues to cover. So they have to get
an extension to negotiate if they can," she was quoted as saying by the state
Bernama news agency late Wednesday.</P><P>"July is only a few months away
and we are not negotiating every week … I am not very optimistic," she
added.</P><P><B>Non-compromising stance</B></P><P>US President George W Bush’s
fast-track authority allows for the approval of a trade deal with a simple yes
or no vote, and concerns have been raised the newly Democrat-controlled Congress
may not renew the authority.</P><P>Malaysia has yet to decide on a US push to
include labour and environmental standards in the deal.</P><P>Government procurement
is also an issue, with the US seeking access for companies to lucrative Malaysian
state contracts, which currently favour the country’s majority ethnic Malays and
indigenous groups.</P><P>Rafidah reiterated that Malaysia would not compromise
the interests of the majority ethnic Malays and flagged differences over investment
and services liberalisation, as well as negotiating styles.</P><P>Weisel has said
that at least two more rounds are needed to forge the FTA, with the next meeting
to be held in Malaysia in February.</P><P>- AFP</P>
<P><I>Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/62278</I>
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com