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?
Tenaganita executive director Irene Fernandez made the call after receiving
a complaint from an Indian worker yesterday that they were handcuffed like criminals
at the airport.
<p>"This is wrong. It is a violation of their human rights. They did not
commit any crime nor were they charged with any offences," she said.</p>
<p>The worker was part of the group that claimed Rela had used force while rounding
them up on Feb 28. One of them had alleged that he fractured both arms during
the raid.</p>
<p>The matter was brought to Tenaganita’s attention, prompting it to submit
a memorandum to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).</p>
<p>Rela had since denied any wrong-doing, claiming that the officers involved
in the raid were not armed with batons.</p>
<p>Fernandez urged Suhakam to make public its findings from interviews conducted
with the men.</p>
<p>Tenaganita, she said, also wants to know the recommendations Suhakam will make
to the Government on the use of Rela personnel to arrest migrant workers.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com