ELECTRONICS manufacturing services (EMS) provider VS Industry Bhd has identified several gaps in its recalibration programme with the company determined to urgently address the loopholes to protect the welfare of its migrant workers.
All migrant workers hired under the programme shall have their employment and immigration status urgently converted under the group’s direct employment.
In addition, VS Industry will arrange to immediately house these workers in hostels that comply with the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990.
“VS commits to continue upholding its zero recruitment fee policy where all fees and costs relating to recruitment of migrant workers are borne entirely by VS,” the company pointed out in a media statement on progress made in discussion between VS Industry and migrant workers’ rights specialist Andy Hall with regards to workers’ welfare.
“The group will step up efforts to verify if there had been any instances of workers under the programme having to pay recruitment fees or related costs to external party.”
If such instances exist, VS Industry said it shall take immediate remedial action to reimburse the workers with this investigation and remediation work to be verified in March 2022 by an independent social compliance audit, the findings of which VS Industry shall share transparently with Hall as the basis for their joint ongoing dialogue.
“I wish to reiterate that the primary emphasis of my work remains on protecting the rights and interests of migrant workers in Malaysia,” commented Hall on his two-way dialogue which primarily focuses on migrant workers hired for work at VS Industry through the recalibration programme.
“In this regard, I am grateful for the openness of VS management to understand the concerns I have brought up and the willingness of the company to work together with me for the betterment of these workers.
“It is certainly not my objective to undermine or hinder development or progress aimed for by leading EMS corporates such as VS.”
Following a series of discussions with Hall, VS Industry managing director Datuk Gan Sem Yam said the company is today able to outline a mutually agreed action plan and timeline.
“We have immediately started working on implementing this action plan and endeavour to iron out these issues over the next few months,” he noted.
“It will take a bit of time as the challenges identified by our management of some migrant workers at our company through the recalibration programme involves other parties as well. However, we are determined to uphold our commitment towards safeguarding the welfare of all employees, including our migrant workers.”
Being a responsible corporate citizen, Gan added that VS Industry will place great importance on ESG (environmental, social, governance) issues as it understands that ultimately, a business with good ESG practices is one that will flourish and sustain over the long term. – Dec 20, 2021
Pic credit: The Star
