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?
KULAIJAYA, Aug 26 (Bernama) — A factory manager’s car was turned-turtle and set ablaze in a strike by about 800 foreign workers outside a hard disk-manufacturing factory in the Taman Perindustrian Sawit Baru here today.
At the height of the incident about 9am, the workers hurled an assortment of missiles in the direction of the hard disk-manufacturing factory, damaging the front portion of its administration office.
It was learnt the strike was triggered by workers unhappy with the employer for allegedly neglecting their welfare and even resorting to physical abuse.
A Nepalese, Kishor Rai, 23, who has been working at the factory for five years said the strike broke out as foreign workers could bear the physical abuse at the hands of management personnel no more.
“They (management) frequently hit us even for minor mistakes without warning.
“Apart from that, the monthly salaries of the workers were deducted, and their overtime not paid according to the stipulated amount.
“Their salaries were also deducted for worker hostel facilities when they were promised it would be free of charge,” he said at the scene of the strike.
Rai said various complaints were lodged with the factory management but they fell on deaf ears.
Kulaijaya police deputy chief, Deputy Superintendent Mohad Idris Samsuri confirmed the incident.
He said the factory management would hold a discussion with representatives of the factory workers and the Nepalese Embassy.
Mohad said 125 policemen, including those from the Federal Reserve Unit were despatched to the scene of the strike. — BERNAMA
Source: Bernama
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com