PSM PRESS STATEMENT:
19 MARCH 2013
STOP THE EXPLOITATION!
IMPLEMENT THE MINIMUM WAGE NOW!
The
PSM condemns the heavy-handedness of the government in dealing with the
protest of Nepali migrant workers over non-implementation of the
minimum wage in furniture manufacturing factories in Johore and a
textile company in Negri Sembilan.
The
demand of the affected 5000 over largely Nepali migrant workers is for
the minimum wage of RM900 to be implemented as promised by the Malaysian
government to the entire Malaysian workforce. All employers, except for
the 635 companies that applied for and were granted a 6-month deferment,
are required to implement the minimum wage ruling from January 2013.
As such what is criminal in the demand of the protesting workers?
Instead
of taking to task the errant employers, the government has ganged up
with them against the workers. The migrant workers have been arrested
and roughed up. Yesterday over 100 workers were arrested purportedly to
prevent a riot from taking place. It’s a shame that police instead of
playing their role of keeping order, have resorted to forcefully
preventing the industrial action of the workers against their
exploitative employers. In Nilai, the police went into the hostel with
the Bosses to ask the workers to go back to work. A police report has
been lodged by PSM on this incident as well s a letter to the Minister
concerned.
It
is shocking that the measures adopted to deal with the now-foiled
Sunday rally referred to the deployment of riot police, roadblocks, and
illegal assembly notices, as if dealing with a bunch of dangerous
criminals. There was not a single mention of the only action needed to
resolve the dispute according to Malaysian law i.e the implementation of
the minimum wage law by the companies employing these workers!
The
furniture industry which is said to be heavily dependent on migrant
workers contributes RM7 billion to the economy. Recron Malaysia, the
Negri Sembilan textile and polyester manufacturer which pays its migrant
workers between RM240 and RM400 is linked to Ambani, India’s richest man. In
approving additional migrant workers for the furniture industry,
Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Minister remarked that a
shortage of workers could lead to companies going bankrupt thereby
affecting the industry and the national economy. What then but a greed
for higher profits, explains the denial of the minimum wage to these
obviously ‘indispensable’ workers?
The
PSM asks the Human Resources Ministry to come to the defence of all
the affected migrant workers who have been victimized for highlighting
the denial of the minimum wage of RM900. The ministry should take action
against the employers for violating the minimum wage ruling.
Stop the exploitation! Implement the minimum wage now!
Released by
Rani Rasiah
PSM Central Committee Member
0195638464
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