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 ILO/MTUC Labour Law Reform was held from 17-19 December 2018.
During this session, MTUC Secretary General, Bro J Solomon highlighted that it is high time unions and workers have a say on the amendments of the labour law in order to imprint the balance of power between employers and workers which is extremely lopsided currently.
He said “Workers and trade union are at a disadvantage due to the draconian labour law which is taken advantage of by some irresponsible employers. Irresponsible employers flout the Code of Conduct for Industrial Harmony and the law and “an employer would consider at great length to change a comma or a full-stop in a collective agreement clause and many unions are struggling to keep some of the clauses that they have now. This coupled with digitalisation and robotic creeping into the world of work, changes are rapidly disrupting the livelihood of workers.
Since November 2018, the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) has commenced work to amend the Labour Laws of the country and Bro J Solomon stressed that he had sought the assistance ofthe International Labour Organisation experts to conduct this training to support the participants to understand the current law, international labour standards and propose inputs for the reform that is consistent with International Labour Standards.
Bro Hugo Van Noord, ILO Chief Technical Advisor in Malaysia emphasised that the Malaysian Labour laws equired extensive reform to be in conformity with International Labour Standards and he urged the participants to take the opportunity to understand the reform and discuss suggestions to be in line with the Conventions.
The training also had input from Labour Law, Mr. Arun Kumar and Puan Mariam from the Ministry of Human Resources, Policy Division.
Facilitations were Bro Raghwan (ILO Specialist (former) and Bro YonungMo (ILO Bangkok), Bro K. Somahsundram and Sis. A Karuna.
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