MTUC stopped at gate of Ministry when they went to express views about '1.5 million NEW Bangladeshi migrants' plans?

Malaysian Trade Union Congress(MTUC), the recognized body by the Malaysian government and the International Labour Organisation, representing all workers and trade unions in Malaysia had a protest at the Human Resource Ministry and the Home Ministry concerning the '1.5 million NEW Bangladeshi migrant workers that will be brought in over the next 3 years' according to an MOU signed by Malaysia and Bangladesh.

The group was earlier barred from entering the complex by the security official..."This is the first time we were barred from entering government premises. It is shameful because this is our right as citizens,"

Shamefully, the MTUC activist were stopped at the gate - They were not even allowed to reach the building that housed the relevant Ministries, let alone go directly to the Ministries. There were only about 50 MTUC representatives, as this was a working days and during working hours, and naturally numbers will be small.

The treatment of the MTUC indicates how badly Malaysian government treats local Malaysian workers, their unions and the MTUC(the legitimate representative of labour). If it were employer groups, chambers of commerce, manufacturers association, etc - would they also be treated in this way? I very much doubt it.

At present, there are about 2.1 million documented migrant workers, and a further over 6 million undocumented migrant workers in Malaysia. Many of these undocumented migrants came in as 'documented migrant workers' and later became undocumented - Malaysia has yet to tell us WHY this happened, or HOW MANY? This will certainly reveal much about Malaysia's working and living conditions that has caused this.

There are also many Malaysian workers out there who are without employment, and the number continues to increase with more retrenchments, VSS/MSS or such schemes where workers willingly agree to leave the employment - a fact questioned given that there are many of such workers that have subsequently filed claims for wrongful dismissal claiming reinstatement, factory closures, etc..

The influx of many workers from other countries, facilitated by the Malaysian government, has also effectively deterred the rise of wages, better rights and benefits and better working conditions - and this affects all Malaysian workers and migrant workers now in Malaysia. Of course, workers want higher wages and better working conditions - if not, it would not just be unjust but foolish to work in a poor working environment. 

When it comes to this new '1.5 million NEW migrant workers from Bangladesh over the next 3 years', there are just too many questions...is it really to satisfy a manpower need? Or is it just for some other reasons...noting that the whole G2G(Government to Government) initiative was to reduce the 'cheating' and/or 'exploitation' of third parties involved in the recruitment process, and also to reduce recruitment cost - but suddenly now it has become a G2G Plus agreement - which now includes also recruitment agencies (who were earlier blamed for the problems the government wanted to resolve). We will discuss G2G at a later stage.

Something smells wrong, and as such MTUC's call for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry is valid. Our Malaysian labour policy needs to be clarified. Our policy about migrant workers also need to cleared up.

Local workers are ready to work - but alas, now we see no advertisement for workers at many workplaces. Many workplaces have also stopped hiring workers as employees - preferring rather to get workers from labour suppliers('contractor for labour')...so many issues...

The full statement of MTUC that was handed to the Ministries still not available on the MTUC Website, and when it is, I may post it in this Blog. Media pick and choose what they want to report, and we cannot get the complete demands of MTUC.

See also:-

101 Groups Letter to PM Najib - Employers should pay the Levy – Not Migrant Workers , Immoral for Malaysia to take from Workers to overcome national economic problems

Richard Riot - still Minister of Human Resources? Or now it is Zahid Hamidi? 1.5 million new Migrant Workers?

Singapore - Migrant Worker Employer Pay Levy, Quotas, Increased levy as you increase percentage of MW? Protection of local workers?

For local workers, employers pay extra 13% above their income to EPF - not so for migrant workers?]

  

 

 

 

MTUC protests in Putrajaya over planned 1.5m foreign worker influx

BY KAMLES KUMAR

Thursday February 18, 2016
12:01 PM GMT+8

MTUC members gather outside complex D in Putrajaya to protest against the intake of foreign workers, February 18, 2016. — Picture by Kamles Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 — Around 50 members from the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) protested outside the government complex housing the Home and Human Resource Ministries today to condemn Putrajaya’s decision to bring in 1.5 million foreign workers.

The group was earlier barred from entering the complex by the security official, who claimed that they did not have permission.

“We just want to hand over a memorandum but they are saying there is a new procedure and we are not allowed in. This is undermining our rights as citizens if we don’t agree with government policies,” MTUC acting president Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid told reporters at a press conference outside the building.

The group went on to hold up pickets and banners outside the building for half an hour, demanding to meet officials from either ministry.

Eventually the memorandum prepared by MTUC was collected by Human Resource Ministry policy secretary Kun Abun on behalf of its minister Datuk Richard Riot Jaem, who is in Bangladesh currently.

Abdullah, who is also MP for Hulu Langat, added that MTUC will seek legal action against the ministries for barring his group from submitting the memorandum.

Putrajaya is facing resistance and criticism from various civil and trade groups over its plan to bring in foreign workers that it said was needed for “dirty, dangerous and difficult” jobs that Malaysians are purportedly snubbing.

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/mtuc-protests-in-putrajaya-over-planned-1.5m-foreign-worker-influx#sthash.OQC1DMyH.dpuf

They prefer Bangladeshis, says MTUC after snub by ministries

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Yap Jia Hee     Published Today 12:43 pm     Updated Today 3:01 pm     8 comments

About 50 Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) members today gathered at the main entrance of the Human Resources Ministry and Home Ministry to protest plans to bring in up to 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers in the next three years.

They tried to enter the premises of both ministry complexes to hand over a memorandum at about 10.30am, but were barred by security personnel.

This prompted MTUC to hold a picket outside the complexes with placards and posters.

"They would have met with us if we were Bangladeshis," acting president Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid quipped.

"This is the first time we were barred from entering government premises. It is shameful because this is our right as citizens," he said.

The protesters chanted slogans like 'Long live the workers' and held posters calling for local workers to be prioritised against foreigners.

A representative of the two ministries met with them outside the complexes to accept the memorandum 15 minutes later.

'No compromise'

Calling for a halt on foreign workers intake, MTUC urged the government to form a royal commission of inquiry on the issue.

"The influx of foreign workers will adversely impact generations to come.

"We need to ensure the rights of local workers are protected, especially under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement," he said.

He said MTUC will meet to discuss its future course of action.

"This will not be the last you hear from MTUC on this. We will not compromise on treachery against workers."

Putrajaya and Dhaka have signed an agreement to allow more Bangladeshi general workers to work in Malaysia.

There are an additional 1.5 million workers registered on the Bangladeshi recruitment database who can now apply for jobs in Malaysia. - Malaysiakini, 18/2/2016

 

MTUC wants royal commission on 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers issue

Published: 18 February 2016 1:11 PM

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. 

 

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 - Malaysian Insider

 

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/mtuc-wants-royal-commission-on-1.5-million-bangladeshi-workers-issue#sthash.d5vAHd0O.dpuf

'3D' industry: Local workforce should be given appropriate training, salary - MTUC

Hafiz Marzukhi, Astro Awani | Translated by: Syafique Shuib
February 18, 2016 12:34 MYT

MTUC members hand over a memorandum at the Human Resource Ministry complex today, to protest on the influx of 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia. - Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar

 

PUTRAJAYA: The local workforce should be given training and appropriate salary to work in the sector considered as dirty, difficult and dangerous, or 3D.

Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general N. Gopal Kishnam said these are among the steps that should be taken by the government.

“If the best policy is drafted, we believe that local employees are able to fill the demands of the 3D industries,” said Gopal Kishnam.

 

Gopal Kishnam was met after leading a group of MTUC members to the Human Resource Ministry complex on Thursday to hand over a memorandum protesting the taking of 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers.

The group gathered at around 10.15am and dispersed after having over the memorandum at around 11.30am. - Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar

Although not allowed in, a representative of the ministry were present to accept the memorandum.

The group gathered at around 10.15am and dispersed after having over the memorandum at around 11.30am.

On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called on local youths to take over the 3D jobs to reduce the country's dependence on foreign workers, who were dominating the plantation industry, manufacturing, construction, and cleaning service sectors. - Astro Awani, 18/2/2016

HENTIKAN PENGAMBILAN PEKERJA ASING

11 February 2016  Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia(MTUC) tidak dapat menerima sama sekali dengan kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh kerajaan untuk membawa masuk 1.5juta pekerja asing dari Bangladesh. Pekerja-pekerja ini yang sebelum ini diserapkan dalam sektor perladangan kini boleh diserapkan dalam sektor-sektor perkhidmatan, pembuatan dan pembinaan.

Apakah akan terjadi kepada pekerja-pekerja tempatan yang separa mahir di Malaysia dengan tindakan ini?

MTUC merasakan adalah lebih wajar dan baik sekiranya penduduk tempatan sendiri diberi latihan yang secukup di samping gaji yang setimpal untuk diserapkan mereka dalam sektor kerja separa mahir ini. 

Sektor-sektor ini kurang diminati oleh penduduk tempatan kerana kadar gaji yang rendah dan masa kerja yang panjang.

Beribu-ribu pekerja dari Malaysia merantau ke Singapore setiap hari bagi menyara hidup. Kenapa? 

Siapakah yang banyak melakukan kerja-kerja separa mahir ini di Singapore? Walaupun ia adalah kerja separa mahir , kerana imbuhan yang dibayar adalah tinggi dan setaraf dengan kerja tersebut maka pekerja-pekerja tempatan sanggup ulang-alik ke negara jiran ini. Mereka ini bukan sahaja profesional malah juga terdiri dari golongan yang terkandas dalam pelajaran dan pekerja Am.

MTUC risau dengan keadaan semasa di negara kita dimana beribu-ribu pekerja asing yang beroperasi secara haram dan tiada sebarang dokumen sah akibat pelbagai sebab. Kerajaan seharusnya mencari jalan penyelesaian bagi menangani isu mereka sebelum membuat keputusan membawa masuk 1.5juta pekerja asing lagi.

MTUC merasakan sekiranya kerajaan serius dengan pengiktirafan untuk mencapai negara berstatus pendapatan tinggi, maka mereka harus menghadkan pekerja asing di tempat kerja seperti yang dinyatakan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-11 (pengurangan pekerja asing ke paras 15% sahaja). Tetapi berdasarkan perkembangan semasa yang berlaku MTUC kurang yakin bahawa hasrat tersebut boleh dicapai. Sehingga ke hari ini lebih kurang 7 juta pekerja asing berada di negara ini dan hanya 2.1 juta sahaja yang sah (memiliki dokumen sah).

Kementerian harus menjalankan kajian serta analisa yang mendalam berkaitan pemecatan, pengganguran dan keperluan pasaran tenaga kerja bagi membolehkan kerajaan menghadkan pengambilan pekerja asing secara beransur-ansur.

Pengumuman kerajaan ini menunjukkan seolah-olah hasrat kerajaan untuk mengecualikan mereka dari Perintah Gaji Minimum. MTUC membantah sama sekali tindakan diskriminasi ini.

Negara tidak harus bergantung kepada sumber tenaga kerja dari negara asing. Keadaan ini sudah tentu akan memudaratkan ekonomi tempatan dan memberi kesan buruk kepada penduduk tempatan. Sejak kebelakangan ini kita sering mendapat laporan yang kurang sihat, penglibatan penduduk tempatan dalam pelbagai aktiviti jenayah dan aktiviti kurang sihat. Ini perlu ditanggani secara harmoni bagi kebaikan bersama dan kesejahteraan negara.

Sekian, terima kasih.

N. Gopal Kishnam
Setiausaha Agung

Source: MTUC Website