Tougher enforcement on migrant workers needed, says union

Azreen hani 

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

   

All government-related agencies should join forces to enforce tougher actions on migrant workers to ensure job security for locals, says a union leader. 

The Malaysian Liaison Council of Union Network International president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal said interagency cooperation with a standard operating procedure (SOP) for hiring migrant workers should be established for this purpose.

“We need stricter enforcement from our authorities, whether from the Home Affairs Ministry, Human Resources Ministry or the private sector.

“I understand migrant workers are only allowed to work in specific sectors. But the reality is we see them even in other sectors,” Mohamed Shafie told The Malaysian Reserve in a phone interview yesterday. “I hope the government will address this issue in Budget 2017.”

The recruitment of foreign workers is only allowed for five sectors — construction, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and services.

Mohamed Shafie, however, claimed this guideline is not fully adhered to and locals’ employability is threatened as employers tend to hire foreign workers due to their “cheaper costs”.

“The government needs to be tough on this. Often we hear locals being accused of not willing to do hard labour. But with the recent retrenchments, we can see that our workers are open for any job opportunities that can help them pay their bills.

“Of course in some sectors, they are a bit sceptical due to the lack of workers’ rights like in construction,” he added.

Yesterday, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot said there are 1.9 million documented foreign workers in the country.

He told the Dewan Rakyat that for every 10 legal foreign workers, there are seven illegal migrant employees in the country.

Mohamed Shafie said based on these figures, the government should re-consider the effectiveness of its foreign workers rehiring programme.

“We should send back those working illegally and get them to re-apply, should they want to work here. That’s the practice in other countries such as the US and even Bangladesh.

“Why are we giving too much leeway? What actions have been taken against employers who are still using illegal workforce?” he added.

In February, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the freeze on foreign workers recruitment in order to pursue the rehiring programme of illegal workers.

The ministry implemented a stringent process for the rehiring programme that allowed employers to legalise their illegal workers.

Malaysian Employers Federation had expressed scepticism over the programme, claiming it would be difficult for the ministry to emulate the success of the 6P Amnesty Programme that was concluded last year.