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?
At the next collective agreement (CA) negotiation with the management due in
July next year, Maseu will include a request for a minimum pay of RM900 for
the lower grade workers in MAS, including office boys, traffic hands, clerks,
tarmac workers and cleaners.
<p>“The union feels RM900 is a reasonable figure, acceptable to both the
employer and employees. We can ask for RM1,200 but we feel that is too high.
</p>
<p>“We have consulted the MTUC but our figure is not purely taken from them.
The RM900 we are asking is based on a variety of factors, including rental,
transportation and food,” said Maseu secretary-general Abdul Malek Ariff.
</p>
<p>He added that it was the first time the union introduced the minimum wage formula
into its CA negotiation to cushion the impact of high living costs. </p>
<p>MAS employees in the lowest grade are paid RM631 monthly. </p>
<p>Abdul Malek said some of the workers had sent their wives and children back
to their kampung to lessen their financial burden. They would then share a room
with a few friends to save rent money. </p>
<p>Even RM900, Abdul Malek said, would just suffice for the workers to cover daily
living costs, without any savings left. </p>
<p>A Maseu press release said there were more than 1,300 employees in MAS receiving
the lowest take-home pay. </p>
<p>The MTUC has asked the Government to legislate a minimum wage of RM900 and
cost of living allowance (Cola) of RM300 for private sector employees. </p>
<p>Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn had said that wages in
Malaysia must remain flexible and competitive. </p>
<p>Furthermore, the minimum wage, if implemented, would have to be applied to
foreign workers.</p>
<p><i>Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/7/nation/18516676&sec=nation</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