The Labour Department must pay more attention to problems faced by migrant workers, Tenaganita said.
This includes poor treatment by employers, the human rights group added.
Its director and consultant for human trafficking, Aegile Fernandez, said abuse cases among migrant workers are also on the rise. Poor accommodation is also a major concern.
“It has been going on for over two decades. Complaints were made against large corporations for violations but action was slow, said Fernandez.
“Bigger companies are able to ‘hide’ these wrongdoings as workers are placed in a more controlled environment and the management won’t speak to you,” she said, referring to a complaint lodged with Tenaganita 15 years ago against a glove manufacturing company.
“The workers were controlled and monitored. If there was a complaint against a worker, he or she would be isolated in little lock-ups and later send the worker home (country of origin).”
She tried approaching the management of the factory to discuss the matter but the company ignored Tenaganita.
“We tried filing a case with the Labour Department but they did not accept the case,” Fernandez said.
She added there were also workers who were physically abused by their supervisors when they complained about issues concerning their wages.
“It appeared then that these firms were protected and could do whatever they wanted,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez was responding to the latest incident involving six Top Glove Corp Bhd-related companies.
Nineteen investigation papers were opened against the six companies following enforcement operations at the respective premises in five states.
This came about after a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases under the Teratai cluster.
According to the Human Resources Ministry, investigations revealed “dense, uncomfortable accommodation and lack of proper ventilation and buildings” for for Top Glove workers.
Subsequently, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said accommodation for 91.1 per cent or 1.4 million foreign workers in Malaysia does not meet provisions under the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990.
These numbers, however, do not surprise Fernandez who said many errant employers get off the hook because of poor enforcement.
“Abuses and violations are worse than before with employers venting their frustrations on workers … just look at the number who are being abused.
“Enforcement is crucial and the ministry should stop saying it does not have enough officers. We have been hearing this for such a long time.
“Where is all the money paid by migrant workers to the government, including levy payment, going to? Shouldn’t this be used to hire more officers?
“Companies need to be hauled up and educated. It is their duty to provide proper housing for their workers, failing which the government should shut them down. This happens in other countries, but we are just lackadaisical,” she added.
Here’s a round-up of The News Normal today.
MALAYSIAN SUDHA DEVI NEW HEAD OF COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Former Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia Datuk Sudha Devi K.R. Vasudevan has been appointed Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation.
Sudha Devi, who starts on Jan 1, is the first Asian to hold the post since the foundation was established in 1966.
The Commonwealth Foundation encourages the people’s participation in all aspects of public dialogue to exchange views and act together in building democratic societies.
52 SUSPECTS IN BORDER SHOOTING CASE HELD UNDER SOSMA
Fifty-two suspects remanded over the shooting of members of the General Operations Force (GOF) in Padang Besar on Nov 24, are now in custody for 28 more days under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
Perlis police chief Datuk Surina Saad said the remand order on 22 suspects ended today while that for the 30 others ends tomorrow. One suspect who has been released will be a prosecution witness.
On Nov 24, GOF member, Sergeant Baharuddin Ramli, 54, was killed while his colleague Sergeant Norihan a/l Tari, 39, was seriously injured in a shootout with a group of smugglers, about 600 metres from the TS9 checkpoint in Padang Besar.
FEDERAL COURT DISMISSES AZILAH’S MURDER REVIEW APPLICATION
Former Special Action Unit (UTK) member Azilah Hadri has failed in his bid to set aside his conviction and death sentence for the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu has been.
Azilah’s judicial review application in the Federal Court was unanimously rejected by a five-member panel led by Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Azahar Mohamed.
The court rejected the claim of new evidence by Azilah (where he said the order to kill Altantuya came from Datuk Seri Najib Razak).
TAKE THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND A CHILD’S STRUGGLES
If all we do is listen to someone so that we can find a solution for them, it’s more likely that the child won’t share his or her struggles. Let’s instead take the time to listen to understand rather than listen to “solve”, writes sports psychologist Bryan Win.
