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?
KUALA LUMPUR: Employers will have to follow stricter procedures for payment of salaries to foreign workers starting January 2016, Paul Low said today.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the practice will see “middlemen” abolished, and employers will have to be more responsible when it came to their employees.
“The move involving 14 government agencies was made to resolve the problem of foreign workers in the country.
“We have already reached a consensus and it is hoped that by January next year, it will be implemented,” Low said in his speech at the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam)’s Human Rights Day 2015 event today.
Under the new rule, employers must ensure salaries are paid according to the minimum wage and they must prepare facilities according to set standards. Employers will also no longer be able to hold on to the passports of foreign workers.
Low said there had been many incidents in the past where employers washed their hands off foreign workers who ran away, and blamed it on the government instead.
“We will impose higher fines to make employers more responsible, and not say it is the government’s responsibility.”
Source: Free Malaysia Today
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