THE Migrant Workers’ Right to Redress Coalition calls on the Government to address these and other issues as a matter of urgency.
The fact of the matter is that solutions to these issues have long been identified and are ready for adoption and implementation assuming there is a government which is committed to protecting the dignity and rights of all people and the health of the nation over and above the private profits of the few.
Many solutions are to be found in the Report of the Independent Committee on the Management of Foreign Workers which has been with the cabinet and Ministers for nearly two years, and which once again the coalition called on the Government to make public and to implement.
“We would also flag the recommendations in our own report Towards a Comprehensive National Policy on Labour Migration in Malaysia.” the non-governmental organisation (NGO) linked to the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) said.
“The treatment of migrant workers, domestic workers, refugees, asylum seekers, foreign spouses and others by this government and by employers, labour contractors and agents, and some other Malaysians demonstrates a willful lack of respect for the contribution of these women, men and children to our nation and a lack of respect for the fundamental principles of the rule of law,” it added.
The lack of provision for any right of redress to persons arbitrarily treated at their workplace or elsewhere has long been a concern of this coalition.
It continued by saying that COVID-19 has become an excuse for many employers and agents and others to increase their arbitrary use and treatment of foreign workers and for Immigration to continue to make arbitrary decisions regarding peoples’ status and futures.
“We are therefore asking for a meeting with the respective Ministries of Home Affairs, Human Resources and Health to discuss their plans for action and we urge the Government to institutionalise meetings between Government agencies and civil society organisations for effective communication in the interest and wellbeing of communities,” it concluded. – Jan 25, 2021
