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?
Zefry Dahalan
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s policy on foreign workers is fraught with Umno crony recruitment agencies ripping off millions of ringgit from foreign workers, Johor DAP deputy chairman S Ramakrishnan said today.
Ramakrishnan added that instead of formulating a long-term comprehensive foreign labour policy, Umno politicians were busy plotting more schemes to swindle migrant workers.
“Activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have voiced out that the government’s 6P programme to register foreign workers is a failure and a scam,” he said.
He added that the 6P programme was monopolised by government officials and Umno cronies who rip off those who wanted to stay back or return home.
“The introduction of the biometric system is an added cost, and agents as well as officers from the Immigration Department end up making money out of these foreign workers,” said the former senator.
Ramakrishnan said in Nepal, the Malaysian embassy was collecting fees for an agency that was not physically present for visa-processing.
“In Katmandu, the Home Ministry made it mandatory for medical centres conducting health checks on workers in that country to install software developed by a Malaysian IT firm.
“These mandatory installations have increased medical inspection rates from Rs1,500 to Rs4,215 (RM140) per worker with the total amount, including visa, costing Rs11,225 (RM373) as opposed to Rs6,525 (RM216) previously.
“Even the repatriation of illegal immigrants is monopolised by Umno cronies who further rip off foreign workers,” he said.
Ramakrishnan, who is an accountant, alleged that foreign workers were a money-making machine for law enforcement agencies.
“Anybody can enter Malaysia as long as they have enough money to grease the palms of immigration officers at the entry point and law enforcement agencies while living here and again at the exit point,” he said.
He added that enterprising foreign workers rent licences from the Umno elite to operate stalls in wet and night markets and shops in many towns thus reducing job opportunities for Malaysians.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
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