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 TERENGGANU, Oct 22 (Bernama) — The Health Ministry wants the relevant government agencies such as the Human Resource Ministry and the local authorities to enhance enforcement of regulations on foreign workers’ quarters especially at construction sites.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the lack of cleanliness in the foreign workers’ quarters would pose a threat to the health of Malaysians as seen in the spread of typhoid.
“At the kongsi, as many as 20 foreign workers live in one room, sharing everything, the sanitation system is inadequate, and the unclean water supplied is used for their daily needs.
“This is because the employers are not concerned about their health, and want to reduce costs … the policies and regulations are already there, there just has to be more enforcement so that the employers are more responsible about the living quarters for their workers,” he said.
He added that developed countries were the best examples where the living quarters for construction workers were located in clean areas equipped with basic amenities.
“Enforcement of monitoring of construction sites by the local authorities and ministry concerned would help reduce risks of a typhoid breakout in an area,” he said.
Dr Subramaniam was speaking to reporters after opening the Mother and Infant Treatment Centre at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) here today.
He said that as of yesterday, two more typhoid cases were recorded, raising to 34 the total number of cases in the Klang Valley.
However, he advised Malaysians not to panic as there was adequate vaccine and they should focus on practicising cleanliness in food-handling.
Source: Bernama
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