NAUSEATING odour, rats and cockroach-infested living conditions, folded cardboard boxes as beds, poor ventilation and leaking pipes – not a case of life in a slave camp but a reality in today’s Malaysia!
That was the case when our Labour Department (JTK) inspected the housing conditions of migrant workers in Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras recently.
Equally repulsive was the employer’s representative statement, who stated that the company has fulfilled its responsibility to provide accommodation but had no time to monitor the workers’ living conditions, leaving it to latter to resolve issues they face!
The Penang Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) condemns the nefarious attitude of the employer involved. To the authorities, please invoke the full extent of the law as such employers do not deserve mercy for their inhumane treatment of their migrant workers.
We are also of the view that such uncaring employers should be blacklisted from recruiting migrant workers ever again.
Our country, having ratified the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Protocol 29 related to the ILO’s forced labour convention, has a duty to enforce the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Amenities Act, 1990 (Act 446) without fear or favour.
MOHR should be proactive
Though that ought to be so, we were told that that JTK only has approximately 400 labour inspectors to undertake extensive inspection of housing conditions, let alone adherence to employment related labour standards. Needless to say that with limited manpower, the incidences of abuses and violation of Act 446, will continue to exist.
Hence, we urge the Human Resources Ministry (MOHR) to establish the Migrant Workers Affairs Department with jurisdiction to oversee issues pertaining to employment of migrant workers.
With millions of migrant workers toiling in the economic interest of our country, we would argue that a dedicated department with the authority to investigate, inspect, enforce and prosecute errant employers is urgently required.
It is also our opinion that, unless the MOHR takes a proactive approach in matters related to the abuses facing migrant workers, violation of basic human rights will continue to prevail.
However, by enhancing our enforcement mechanism, through a dedicated Migrant Workers Affairs Department within the ministry, we believe that instances of migrant workers abuse can be greatly reduced. – April 11, 2022
K Veeriah is the secretary of MTUC Penang Division.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
