MALAYSIA:::Govt can keep tabs on foreign workforce by legalising Pati, says unionist

While the government's plan to legalise the country's foreign workers without permits (Pati) have drawn criticism from social media users, trade unions and analysts describe it as a positive move.

They said the rehiring and relocation programme would help the authorities to determine the exact number of foreigners working illegally in this country, as well as monitor their activities more effectively.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had announced the programme when presenting the revised Budget 2016 on Jan 28, saying that it would enable illegal foreign workers to obtain valid work permits and help fulfil industry needs.

COMBODIA:::Protesting Bus Drivers Beaten by Armed Thugs in Cambodia

To any friends traveling in Cambodia, please DON'T use Capitol Bus Service until they end the violence and respect the right to organize. CTWF union has been busted, arrested and beaten with hammers, metal bars and sticks. Video:

ILO Report: Young and Female, a Double Handicap to Find a Job

Alarming statistics prove that women are still very far from benefiting from equal conditions of access to the world's labor market.

A new report released Wednesday by the International Labor Organization confirmed the double discrimination that young women face around the world when accessing the labor market.

INDONESIA:::Job insecurity, new minimum wage rile workers

JAKARTA -- Indonesians are taking to the streets over slower wage growth and fears of job losses amid reports of well-known foreign companies leaving.

     Labor protests usually heat up around November, the time when the following year's minimum wages are set. Unions nevertheless mobilized thousands to march Saturday through Jakarta near one of the nation's presidential palaces. Their grievances included mass layoffs.

MALAYSIA:::MoU on 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers to be signed within a month, say reports

Under a newly drafted memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bangladeshi government, Malaysia will soon see the plan for 1.5 million foreign workers recruited over the next three years pushed through, reports said today.

According to Dhaka Tribune, the workers will enter Malaysia under the G2G (Government-to-Government) Plus scheme which allows them employment in construction, service, manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

Previously, Bangladeshi workers were only hired for plantations.