Ensuring the welfare of migrant workers

I AM appalled at the suggestion by the Foreign Employment Board of Nepal to appoint a Malaysian company to provide “protection and welfare services” for Nepali migrant workers in Malaysia, “More questions raised over third-party company” (The Star, Jan 15).

It is obvious that the Foreign Employment Board of Nepal has little understanding and knowledge of the provisions by the Malaysian government and industry that safeguard the welfare of workers.

Most, if not all, employer associations in Malaysia have committees to safeguard the welfare of migrant workers engaged by their members. They adhere closely to the minimum requirements imposed by the government.

On the government side, we have the Social Security Organisation (Socso), which is entrusted with the task of providing protections to ensure the welfare of all workers in the country. To enable the protections, funds are collected monthly by Sosco.

In addition, employers must take care of the welfare of migrant workers by providing them with accommodation, welfare and amenities adhering to the minimum standards as legislated in the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations And Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).

The Foreign Employment Board of Nepal should have engaged with the larger employer associations, such as the Malaysian Employers Federation or the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, prior to making their move.

The purpose of Socso is to provide social security funds to employees in the private sector in case of injuries at work, emergencies, occupational illnesses, and death. Setting up a third-party company is grossly unnecessary, increases the cost of doing business, and only benefits the third-party company.

WONG SOO KAN

Petaling Jaya