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?
THE Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has a hidden agenda and was influenced
by the opposition in its demand for a minimum wage for the private sector, said
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar.
<p>"I see MTUC ada udang disebalik batu (has a hidden agenda). Maybe there
is an election this year. And they are influenced by the opposition parties.
So, we totally rejected their claims," he told Lau Yeng Peng (BN-Puchong).</p>
<p>He said the government could not agree to a minimum wage across the board for
the private sector as it could jeopardise the country’s economy, employers’
affordability and employees’ productivity.</p>
<p>"One of Malaysia’s attractions to foreign investors is its affordable
salary rates. If we impose a minimum wage, they might not come to invest here,"
he said.</p>
<p>The MTUC held a picket last week to demand a RM900 minimum wage and a RM300
cost of living allowance for workers in the private sector.</p>
<p>In expressing his sadness over MTUC’s decision to picket instead of discussing
the matter with the ministry, Abdul Rahman said many employers, especially those
who run small- and medium-sized businesses, would have problems paying the minimum
wage of RM1,200 monthly to their workers.</p>
<p>"Wages should be paid according to employers’ affordability, workers’
experience and productivity. If minimum wage is imposed, workers will take it
easy with their work and productivity will be affected," he said at a press
conference at the parliament lobby yesterday.</p>
<p>He said last year, 335 companies, employing 13,000 workers, closed down due
to wage issues. He said the government was worried that the implementation of
a minimum wage would cause more small companies to gulung tikar (close down).</p>
<p>"We will not entertain MTUC’s threat as we are more concerned about
the well-being of the workers and their employers," he said.</p>
<p>He also said a minimum wage meant foreigners would be accorded the same salary
scale as locals, and the country would see an influx of foreign workers, which
would rob locals of their jobs.</p>
<p>"There must be a reasonable ground to have minimum wage.</p>
<p>"I hope MTUC will resume its discussion on this matter with the ministry.
If their demands are reasonable, we will consider their requests," he said.<br>
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<i>Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/20070705084128/Article/index_html</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