THE Malaysian Government and its labour intensive export industries should first prioritise ethical and low-cost hiring of undocumented workers who are already in the country for low skilled job vacancies – including in the plantation industries – prior to bringing in new workers from overseas.
Additionally, efforts must be made to ensure not only decency in terms of remuneration and working conditions but also the combating of forced labour risks, low and transparent rehiring costs and regularisation of irregular workers which will bring about a victory for national security, economic security and human security.
But if a decision has already been made to bring in new foreign workers to fill the huge labour gaps in sectors like plantation (rubber/palm oil), gloves and electrical & electronics (E&E), then the process must be ethical and fair, according to international migrant worker rights specialist Andy Hall.
“Ethical recruitment of high risk low skilled foreign workers from overseas for Malaysia’s labour intensive export industries essentially means very low cost (or free) recruitment costs and decent work guaranteed for the workers,” he told FocusM.
“This entails informed consent as to terms and conditions of employment, and a real understanding of what they are getting themselves into once they arrive, especially if the work is dirty, dangerous and demanding. Direct recruitment means no brokers, no middle men.”
Hall who has also been advising Sime Darby Plantation Bhd on ethical recruitment practices since October 2020 was reacting to the latest statement by Human Resources Datuk Seri M Saravanan that his ministry is drawing up standard operating procedures (SOPs), including identifying a 2,000-person capacity COVID-19 isolation centre near Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to facilitate the entry of foreign workers.
The move is in tandem with the Cabinet’s earlier decision to grant special approval to bringing in 32,000 foreign workers to ease workers shortage in the plantation sector and also in preparation for the recruitment of foreign workers if an urgent need arises.
Elaborating on his notion of ethical recruitment, Hall said it is imperative that the Government pursues a transparent management of the entire recruitment processes by avoiding the past syndicates.
“This also means open and transparent tendering of recruitment contracts by Malaysian companies to ensure they work with the best and most ethical recruiters available in the market,” he opined.
Hall also cautioned the risks of a failed or corrupt recruitment process to the Government and industry reputation given that Malaysia is already reeling from US forced labour sanctions and a blackened image globally with regard to modern slavery.
“This is a high risk decision but I hope the results can be positive with a new positive page in the history of Malaysia’s reputation for combating forced labour if this programme goes ahead,” he added. – Sept 19, 2021
