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?
"There are about two million foreign workers in this country. If everyone
is given a minimum wage as sought by MTUC many local companies will close.
<p>"For example, it’s not logical to require employers to pay their maids
a minimum wage and Cola when the maids are given food and lodging," he
said.</p>
<p>The deputy minister was responding to senator Dr Jins Shamsudin.</p>
<p>He said that so far 335 companies had wound up because of high production costs
and wages.</p>
<p>Moreover, not all the developed countries gave minimum wages to their workers,
he said, citing the United States, which paid hourly wages, and Britain and
Australia.</p>
<p>"The government will not fix a minimum wage if it is going to affect the
national economy," he said.</p>
<p><b>’Naive’ remark</b></p>
<p>In an immediate response, MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said it was
“naive” to say that Britain and Australia do not have minimum wages.</p>
<p>“Britain has a Low Pay Commission that collects data of workers and interviews
them to determine the wages that they need.</p>
<p>“Australia does have a minimum wage using a different mechanism but they
too have migrant workers. It’s naive to say that they don’t have minimum
wage,” he told malaysiakini.</p>
<p>He said Abdul Rahman should not “pick and choose the issue” by using
foreign workers as an excuse.</p>
<p>“We have to look at the bigger picture. We are talking about our workers.
There are millions of Malaysian workers facing difficulties and addressing the
pay issue is quite fundamental,” he added.</p>
<p>Last month, MTUC staged a nationwide picket in 14 locations after discussions
with the government for a minimum wage came to a deadlock.</p>
<p><i>Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/69803</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