Time for committee’s report on foreign workers to be released

G25 compliments both the British High Commissioner and United States Ambassador in Kuala Lumpur for pointing out to Putrajaya, as reported in the media, that Malaysia should get serious about promoting a decent wage labour policy for workers. This means implementing legislation against abuse and exploitation of worker rights, a form of modern-day slavery.

The two envoys pointed out that their countries have tough legislation against employers who violate human rights, and also impose punitive trade sanctions on foreign companies that export goods produced by forced labour.

The Malaysian government has often declared its intention to raise wage levels through increased productivity and would facilitate this by promoting the use of technology to replace labour-intensive methods of production.

Industries would be more motivated to shift towards greater use of technology if they believe the government will apply the law strictly on employers who exploit their foreign workers with low wages, unfair working conditions and unhygienic accommodation.

As long ago as the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010), the government had expressed its intention to raise labour productivity and improve working conditions. More recently, the previous Pakatan Harapan government had appointed an independent committee to enquire into the recruitment and management of foreign workers.

This committee was chaired by Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus, a retired Court of Appeal judge, with Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, a former sessions court judge, senior federal counsel in the Attorney-General’s Chambers and retired diplomat as deputy chairman. Both are members of G25.

They are deeply disappointed that the committee’s report, although completed and duly submitted to the government in early 2019, has yet to be released to the public or tabled in Parliament.

G25 respectfully urges the government to make public the report as soon as possible as a first step in manifesting its sincerity and commitment towards addressing and solving the problems connected with the recruitment, management, and employment of foreign workers. This should be followed by the implementation of the committee’s recommendations.

Covid-19 showed clear linkages between the impact of the pandemic on foreign workers and the structural causes of the inequalities and vulnerabilities embedded in many current migrant labour processes and practices. These factors not only heightened the risk of infection among foreign workers but also contributed to the overall size and severity of the pandemic in Malaysia.

G25 agrees with the envoys that Malaysia must show real commitment towards protecting the rights of all workers, local and foreign, and improving their working conditions.

G25 MALAYSIA