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?
Ng Yen Yen, who heads the women’s wing of the Malaysian Chinese Association,
told the Bernama news agency her political party has received numerous complaints
from Malaysian wives that their husbands have fallen prey to the charms of women
from China.
<p>Home Affairs Minister Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said Friday the government was considering
bringing in domestic maids from China and India to alleviate a shortage from
Indonesia and the Philippines.</p>
<p>"Following intensive discussions, (we are) appealing to the Home Affairs
Ministry to halt this plan for the moment. We do not want the problem of these
little dragon ladies to escalate," Ng was quoted as saying.</p>
<p>"These women are enticing local married men into having affairs with them
and are causing family disharmony," she said.</p>
<p>Ng said she would press Radzi over the matter, adding the move was not meant
to disrespect women from China, but to protect local women and family values
in Malaysia.</p>
<p>Ng and home ministry officials could not be reached for comment Sunday.</p>
<p>Radzi has said Indonesian maids were shunning Malaysia because of low wages.</p>
<p>Women’s groups say the government must address the reason why foreign domestic
workers are not keen to work in Malaysia.</p>
<p>"We have low labor standards, there are no compulsory days off, wages
are low and workers are not properly protected," Women’s Aid Organization
director Ivy Josiah told The Star newspaper.</p>
<p>Malaysia relies heavily on foreign laborers for menial work, and Indonesians
form the bulk of the domestic work force. More than 300,000 Indonesian currently
work as housemaids in the country.</p>
<p>The MCA is the second-largest party in Malaysia’s ruling coalition.</p>
<p><i>Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/27/asia/AS-GEN-Malaysia-Seducing-Chinese-Maids.php</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