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?
MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said in a statement
yesterday that the proposal to exclude probationers from seeking recourse currently
available via legislation is a throwback to the era when slave labour was permitted.
<P>"Why
is there any need to exclude this category of employees? It is simply because
employers want the freedom to dismiss employees at will.</P><P>"Such a facility
would only allow unscrupulous employers to cause hardship on employees and their
families," he added.</P><P>Saying the proposal was against the interest of
society or the larger national interest, Shahir expressed particular concerned
on any move to suppress the right of the security of tenure of employment which
should be available to all workers in any civil society.</P><P>"We must realise
that there is no need to compromise on the rights of labour for businesses to
succeed. Instead of trying to impose such draconian measures which is an affront
to the dignity of workers, employers should look at the various ways in which
they can work with labour for the better interest of all," he added.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com