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?
<IMG height=162 hspace=5 src="images/news/10106.jpg" width=250 align=left>Organised
by a coalition of groups called the May Day Committee, the march began at the
symbolic Dataran Merdeka at 10am. The march is the 13th of its kind ever held
in the country.
<p>
After criss-crossing through the city centre, the crowd later regrouped at the
KLCC park, against the backdrop of Malaysia’s economic symbol – Petronas Twin
Towers. </p>
<p>This year’s event was themed, “Workers against privatisation of water and hospitals”.</p>
<p>The event was peaceful, but had a noisy carnival-like atmosphere, as pro-worker
slogans were frequently chanted. </p>
<p>
Police presence was minimal throughout the proceedings, although riot police
and a water canon truck was stationed not far away from the area. No untoward
incidents were reported. </p>
<p>
<b>Fuel hike</b></p>
<p>
<IMG height=124 hspace=5 src="images/news/10111.jpg" width=100 align=left>V
Nathan (left), who represented factory workers said that while fuel prices had
gone up several times in recent months, the wages and bonuses received by workers
remained the same.</p>
<P>“Some factories even used the fuel price hike to justify their decision to
terminate the workers’ annual increment,” said Nathan’s in his emotionally charged
speech. </p>
<p>
<IMG height=131 hspace=5 src="images/news/10110.jpg" width=100 align=right>While
thanking yet-to-be-registered Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM) for their contributions
to farmers plight, Ipoh-based farmer Lai Ah Lek (right) urged other workers
to struggle in upholding their rights. </p>
<p>
“I was forcefully evicted from my farm land when the government wanted the land
for development. I decided not to move, but stay and struggle for my rights,”
he told the crowd, and was met with cries of solidarity.</p>
<p><b>Peaceful march</b></p>
<p>
When approached by <EM>malaysiakini</EM>, Prema, a first-time participant said
she was perturbed by the ever increasing price of essential goods, and wants
to voice her concerns to the government. </p>
<p>
When asked, Prema said she was not afraid of the police over looking the proceedings.
</p>
<p>
“I’m not doing anything wrong, why should I be afraid?” she said with a smile.
</p>
<p>
<IMG height=168 hspace=5 src="images/news/10109.jpg" width=250 align=left>The
police allegedly used excessive means to disperse the crowd during a similar
Labour Day march last year. </p>
<p>
Speaking to reporters later, PSM <EM>pro tem</EM> secretary-general S Arutchelvan
said that a permit for the gathering had been issued by the Dang Wangi district
police station. </p>
<p>
“They didn’t agree to us having the march, but we argued that it was traditional
to do so. Again, we have shown today that we can hold a march peacefully,” said
Arutchelvan, who is also a member of the organising committee. </p>
<p>
<b>Declaration</b></P>
<P>Asked why no politicians were invited to address the crowd, he said that the
organising committee had been consistent with such a policy over the years.
</p>
<p>
“Labour Day is the time when the politicians have to listen to what the workers
have to say,” he added. </p>
<p>
<IMG height=182 hspace=5 src="images/news/10108.jpg" width=300 align=right>The
gathering ended with the crowd reading their Labour Day declaration en masse,
which among others, sought for preservation of Orang Asli rights, the tabling
of the Minimum Wage Act, laws for the automatic formation of unions and equal
rights for migrant workers. </p>
<p>
The declaration was endorsed by 72 groups nationwide including opposition parties,
student, religious, women’s rights, consumer and human rights groups. </p>
<p>
The May Day committee itself is made up of labour rights group Jerit, opposition
groups PSM and Parti Rakyat Malaysia, Food not Bombs, student group Dema, Community
Development Centre, Alaigal, Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and human rights
group Suaram. </P>
<p><b>Four held</b></P>
<P>Meanwhile, in Seremban, four individuals were arrested during a Labour Day
gathering there today, said Suaram in a statement this evening. </p>
<p>
Its executive director Yap Swee Seng said the four were Keadilan deputy information
chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin and three others, Ramlan Roes, Amirudin Wahab and
N Azizi. </p>
<p>
“The Kuala Lumpur May Day rally today, which was participated by about 1,000
people, was allowed by the police and had proceeded peacefully. Suaram sees
no reason why the police should stop the peaceful gathering in Seremban and
arrest the four persons,” said Yap. </p>
<p>
He called on the police to release the four immediately adding it would be ‘another
abuse of power if the police decide to keep them overnight in the police lock-up
or remand them tomorrow’.</p>
<p> Seremban police chief Hasanuddin Hassan could not be reached for comment.
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