The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into the foreign workers issue, and to scrap the plan to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers.
In a statement today, the trade union federation said the government should do what was right for the people of Malaysia.
It said it could not accept the plan to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers over the next three years, via the government-to-government's memorandum of understanding.
“Bangladeshi workers were previously used as labourers in plantations, but it was now agreed that they could work in the services, farming, manufacturing and construction sectors.
“What will this move do to locals who are semi-skilled and unskilled? MTUC feels that it is more appropriate and better if Malaysians are given training and pay in kind to absorb them into the semi-skilled workforce.
“For now, these sectors are not appealing to locals because the salaries are low and the working hours long,” MTUC said.
It also noted that thousands of Malaysian workers travelled to Singapore daily to earn their living.
“Who are the workers doing semi-skilled and 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) jobs in Singapore?
“Even though the jobs are semi-skilled in nature, the pay is good, so Malaysians don't mind travelling across the Causeway for work.
“These are not just those holding professional positions, but those who are not highly educated and general workers,” it said.
MTUC also said the use of foreign labour incurred more costs for employers, who would have to pay levy, processing fees, training, travel expenses, among others others to bring in foreign workers.
It also expressed existing concerns that thousands of illegal foreigners were already working in the country without permits or valid papers.
“The government should be looking for a solution to this issue before they decide to bring in another 1.5 million foreigners.”
MTUC also said the country should be reducing its intake of foreign workers, as stated in the 11th Malaysia Plan – which was to reduce foreign workers to 15%, if Malaysia seriously wanted to be recognised as a
high-income nation.
“With the present situation, we doubt this can be achieved. Until now, there are about 7 million foreign workers in the country and only 2.1 million are legal,” it said.
The union said the government should conduct detailed studies on matters concerning employment like terminations, unemployment and the market's demand for labour to enable the government to gradually cut down the intake of foreign workers.
“We should not rely on foreign labour because it will harm the local economy and have a negative impact on the people.
“Of late, we have been getting so many unhealthy reports of foreigners committing crime and other negative activities.
“This should be tackled for the collective good and well-being of everyone and the country.” – February 18, 2016.
source:::http://www.themalaysianinsider.com
A Penang Island City Council worker at a morning market area in George Town. The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) says it is more appropriate if Malaysians are given training and pay in kind to absorb them into the semi-skilled workforce. – The Malaysian Insider pic Hasnoor Hussain, February 18, 2016.
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