Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Police inspector in rape probe charged with trafficking Mongolian women? Start trial now..when Mongolian women victim/witnesses still around?

Well, the police officer has been charged for offences of human trafficking, which he pleaded not guilty and has been released on RM20,000 bail - Court fixes case for 17th June for mention (not the start of the trial). Why the delay - when we need a speedy trial when the victims and witnesses are still in Malaysia?

Then, a recent Malaysian Insight report, says that the police says that he would be charged again tomorrow - he will be slapped with 'six counts of violating Section 376(2)(f) of the Penal Code for raping and molesting the first victim, who is not named.He faces a further two counts of rape and molestation against the second woman, also not named.' Well, not happened yet - so we see what happens tomorrow?

SPEEDY TRIAL is very important when the alleged victim/s and witnesses are foreign nationals - if not, how long do you expect these non-Malaysians to hang around for the trial? The other problem is that Malaysia may have no allocation of funds to bring these women back from Mongolia to be witnesses in this trial - and,if no witnesses, then high chances for the guilty to escape justice.

For the first case, the judge set the first mention date on 17/6/2020 - and this is not the date the trial begins> A mention date could have been set in 1 weeks time, and the trial should commence maybe in 2 weeks > what is important is that the trial starts, and the alleged victims and the witnesses testify in court (which will justly give the chance for the accussed's lawyer to also cross-examine the witness, which is just for a FAIR TRIAL. (After testifying in court, they can leave and go home - and if needed again, Malaysia must give commitment to bring the witnesses back again...).

The way Malaysia has treated the alleged victims and witnesses, being the Mongolian women, thus far has been to arrest and detain them for being 'suspected' human trafficking victims. The interim protection order can last 21 days, and thereafter if the Magistrate is satisfied that they are 'human trafficking victims', another protection order for 3 months...then likely to be deported back to Mongolia...Remember, this 'anti-trafficking' law, allows for them to not just be released immediately, and also to remain and even work legally in Malaysia for up to 3 years if they want to...

Yesterday, it was reported that the '...Three Mongolian women who were detained by police after alerting authorities on the alleged rape of two other Mongolian women have been released by the cops...' Under what law, was this release made? Will the women be going back to Mongolia now, on their own free will - or 'forced' because of lack of documents validating their legal stay in Malaysia?

Once, they go back to Mongolia, would these women even want to come back to Malaysia, even if the government is willing to pay for travel and board? Would they come back after how they have been treated? I wonder...

And now, if there is no 'speedy trial' - I worry whether justice will be done? What say you?

WILL MALAYSIA ASSURE THAT THEY WILL BEAR THE COST TO BRING THESE WOMEN BACK FOR THE TRIAL? Better, still is a speedy commencement of the trial now, maybe in a week, to enable these 5 women to give their evidence in court, and be cross-examined by the accused lawyer... Why can't the trial start on Monday, the 4th of May and continue for a week or more until all these 5 have given their evidence in court?

The other point, is a worker rights issue > Is this accused police man suspended with full PAY, which must happen noting also the PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. No worker can be suspended or terminated simply because he is suspected (or even accused in court) for committing a crime, no matter whether it is murder or rape. It is not for the police or employer to decide on guilt or innocence - it is the Court after trial.

See earlier related posts:-

Mongolian rape case - Police delay in submitting investigation paper to Public Prosecutor? Why?

Suspending 'Cop who allegedly raped Mongolian women' wrong? Presumption of innocence until proven guilty? Worker Rights Violation?

Suspected rapist policeman FREED on police police bail, whilst 2 Mongolian victims( and 3 witnesses) in Detention? JUSTICE?

Detain Mongolian women rape victims and witness can be released and allowed to work in Malaysia, so says the law. - The Anti-Trafficking In Persons And Anti-Smuggling Of Migrants (Permission To Move Freely And To Work) (Foreign National) Regulations 2016 allows them to not only be released immediately to be able to move around freely but to make it possible for them to work in Malaysia for at least 3 years.

Mongolian Rape Victim and Witnesses Detained? Deported soon? Will Police Officer be charged and tried in court?

Police inspector in rape probe charged with trafficking Mongolian women

Ho Kit Yen

April 29, 2020 10:04 AM

Hazrul Hizham Ghazali at the Klang Sessions Court today.

KLANG: A police inspector who was accused of raping two Mongolian women today claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of trafficking for sex.

Hazrul Hizham Ghazali from the Petaling Jaya police headquarters, is charged under Section 13(f) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act, for abuse of power in

exploiting the two women aged between 20 and 36 years old.

The alleged offence took place between April 10 and 11 at a hotel in Petaling Jaya.

Hazrul, who is represented by lawyer Shah Rezal Abdul Manan, faces a jail sentence of between three to 20 years or a fine.

Judge Tasnim Abu Bakar granted him RM20,000 bail. The court has set June 17 for mention.

Hazrul was previously arrested for alleged rape of the two Mongolian women.

Authorities also investigated the case for human trafficking claims.

He was later freed on police bail and suspended from the force. - FMT, 29/4/2020

Cop to be charged with raping 2 Mongolian women

Updated 35 minutes ago · Published on 29 Apr 2020 2:28PM ·

*Police inspector Hazrul Hizham Ghazali today pleads not guilty to trafficking and sexually exploiting two Mongolian women. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, April 29, 2020.*

POLICE inspector Hazrul Hizham Ghazali, who this morning claimed trial to trafficking and sexually exploiting two Mongolian women, will face rape charges tomorrow.

The 30-year-old accused, who has been suspended, will be charged at the Petaling Jaya court, said district police chief Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal in a statement today.

Hazrul will be slapped with six counts of violating Section 376(2)(f) of the Penal Code for raping and molesting the first victim, who is not named.

He faces a further two counts of rape and molestation against the second woman, also not named.

“I remember saying we will go all out in the investigation, and we did. Thank you for your patience,” said Nik Ezanee.

Hazrul pleaded not guilty at the Klang Sessions Court to two charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in relation to the women, aged 20 and 36.

Judge Tasnim Abu Bakar set bail at RM20,000 and fixed June 17 for case management.

The cop is accused of trafficking the women between 10.30pm on April 10 and 8.30pm the next day at Room 302 of PJ Luxe Hotel, and sexual exploitation by means of abusing his power, a crime punishable under Section 13 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

For these charges, he faces between three and 20 years’ imprisonment and a possible fine upon conviction.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Huzir Mohamed previously said the suspect was under investigation for human trafficking as well as rape.

Police rescued the women from the PJ hotel on April 11. The duo said they were raped by a police inspector at the hotel after their arrest at a roadblock.

Hazrul was detained for seven days to facilitate investigations. – April 29, 2020.- Malaysian Insight, 29/4/2020

‘Whistleblower’ Mongolian women freed, inspector to face trafficking charges

FMT Reporters

April 28, 2020 10:20 PM

Reports say the two Mongolian women were detained at a roadblock in Petaling Jaya. A police inspector will be charged with trafficking in the women tomorrow in Klang.

PETALING JAYA: Three Mongolian women who were detained by police after alerting authorities on the alleged rape of two other Mongolian women have been released by the cops.

Their lawyer, Matthew Thomas Philip, said the initial detention of the three women was against their fundamental human rights, adding that their release was a big relief.

“We are extremely grateful to all those who came forward to demand accountability from the police in their treatment and the process of investigation of our clients.

“With the whistleblowers freed today, we take it as a first step forward towards justice in this case,” he said in a statement today.

They had been placed under an interim protection order on April 14 after reporting the alleged rape of two Mongolian women by a policeman.

The officer allegedly took the women to a hotel on April 10, where he was accused of raping them.

This allegedly came after they were arrested at a roadblock over claims they did not possess valid travel documents.

Philip also said a civil suit was filed by the rape victims against an inspector for special, general, punitive and exemplary compensation and other relief deemed appropriate.

The suit, fixed for mention on May 27, also seeks judicial relief from the hotel for acting on the officer’s instructions and facilitating his actions.

Officer to be charged with trafficking tomorrow

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the police officer will be charged in the Klang court tomorrow for having held the two Mongolian women, aged 20 and 37, against their will.

Petaling Jaya district police chief Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said the officer will be charged under Section 13(f) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom). The section is associated with trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation by abuse of power.

He also said that the police are awaiting further instructions as to the offence of rape.

“The police have received instructions to have the officer charged under Atipsom. The police are awaiting further instructions for the offence of rape under Section 376 of the Penal Code,” he said in a statement today. - FMT, 28/4/2020

Monday, April 27, 2020

Kenyataan Hari Peringatan Pekerja Maut Antarabangsa (28 April) - Berkabung untuk yang mati, Berjuang untuk yang hidup

See original statement at International Workers’ Memorial Day Statement Mourn for dead, Fight for the living - 28/4/2020

Kenyataan Media(Penterjemahan Kenyataan Asal Dalam Bahasa Inggeris) – 28/4/2020

International Workers’ Memorial Day Statement

Kenyataan Hari Peringatan Pekerja Maut Antarabangsa

Mourn for dead, Fight for the living

Berkabung untuk yang mati, Berjuang untuk yang hidup

(Berhiba yang mati, Berjuang untuk yang hidup)

Hanya Memperingati Pekerja yang Maut Tanpa Menggubal Undang-Undang Baru untuk memastikan keselamatan Hidup Pekerja di masa depan tidak bermakna

Pada Hari Peringatan Pekerja Antarabangsa atau Hari Berkabung Pekerja, yang disambut setiap tahun pada 28 April, kami, 40 kumpulan dan kesatuan sekerja yang disenaraikan di bawah ini sedih bahawa hakikat kematian pekerja di tempat kerja, masih belum mengerakkan kerajaan Malaysia untuk mengubal undang-undang, peraturan dan piawaian baru yang akan semestinya mencegah kematian atau kecederaan di kalangan pekerja pada masa depan dalam situasi serupa.

Hari Peringatan Pekerja Antarabangsa atau Hari Berkabung Pekerja adalah hari antarabangsa memperingati dan tindakan demi mengingati pekerja yang terbunuh, cacat, cedera atau menjadi sakit akibat pekerjaan mereka. Slogan hari ini adalah ‘Berkabung untuk yang mati, Berjuang untuk yang hidup’.

Sedang kita berkabung kehilangan nyawa dan kecederaan pekerja, kita juga berjuang untuk pekerja lain dengan tujuan mengurangkan risiko kehilangan nyawa dan kecederaan di tempat kerja.

Di Malaysia, pada tahun 2018, terdapat 611 kes kemalangan maut. Pada tahun 2017, terdapat 711 kes kemalangan maut. (Bernama, 11/07/2018; Star, 7/1/2020). Malangnya, rekod Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (JKKP) mendedahkan kes kemalangan maut yang telah siap disiasat pada tahun 2017 dan 2018, masing-masing hanya 206 dan 260, yang bermaksud bahawa siasatan masih belum selesai untuk begitu banyak kes yang mengakibatkan kematian pun.

Sektor pembinaan mencatatkan jumlah kematian yang tertinggi. Statistik Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (DOSH) mencatatkan 169 kematian dan 3,911 kemalangan di sektor pembinaan untuk tahun 2018. (NST, 15/2/2020) Kadar kematian setiap 100,000 pekerja di sektor pembinaan adalah 13.44 pada tahun 2018, berbanding kepada 14.57 pada tahun 2017.

Kadar Kemalangan Maut Malaysia (FAR) bukan hanya 10 kali lebih teruk daripada di Britain tetapi sebenarnya merosot sebanyak 20 peratus sejak permulaan abad ini, menurut laporan Lembaga Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan.

Kematian akibat parit runtuh - kematian akibat dikebumikan hidup-hidup

Jalmi, seorang pekerja Indonesia berusia 20-an, mati setelah dia ditimbus tanah di longkang kedalaman tiga meter semasa kerja-kerja penggalian di Shah Alam, Selangor pada Oktober 2015. (NST, 5/10/2015).

Pada bulan Mac 2015, dilaporkan bahawa 2 pekerja binaan di Machang, Kelantan, seorang lelaki tempatan dan seorang warga Myanmar terbunuh ketika tanah runtuh dan menguburkan mereka di lubang ketika mereka sedang mengerjakan projek paip bekalan air. (NST, 30 / 3/2015).

Pada bulan September 2015, seorang pekerja binaan Bangladesh terbunuh di Kuala Lumpur setelah dia dikebumikan di timbunan tanah, setelah mangsa dan rakannya sebelum itu menggali lubang sedalam tiga meter untuk memasang paip bawah tanah. (NST, 30/9 / 2015)

Nicholas anak Jawan, seorang pekerja berusia 33 tahun, terbunuh di Sarawak setelah dia dikebumikan hidup-hidup ketika membina longkang monsun dalam (Malay Mail, 3/12/2019)

Md Shoriful, 43, dan Julhas Rahman, 27, terbunuh ketika mereka dikebumikan oleh gundukan tanah di tapak pembinaan projek perumahan di Mentakab, Temerloh di mana mereka menjalankan kerja pemasangan paip kumbahan. (BERNAMA / New Straits Times, 6/3/2020

Akan ada banyak kes yang serupa, yang malangnya tidak semua akan dilaporkan oleh media. Malangnya, laporan media juga gagal menyebut nama pekerja yang meninggal, dan juga tidak menyebut nama syarikat dan/atau majikan yang kemungkinan bertanggungjawab untuk kemalangan maut ini.

Sedang kita merayakan IWMD tahun ini, kami menyeru kerajaan Malaysia untuk:

1. Menggubal dan menguatkuasakan undang-undang dan peraturan yang menetapkan kewajiban wajib untuk mencegah kematian lagi di masa depan

Kematian akibat parit tanah runtuh seperti ini di Malaysia, dan juga di seluruh dunia, kerap berlaku, dan persoalannya adalah mengapa masih belum ada undang-undang dan peraturan khusus yang akan mencegah kematian tersebut dalam situasi serupa di masa depan.

Apa yang seharusnya terkandung dalam undang-undang tersebut adalah persyaratan untuk dukungan dan / atau penghadangan yang diperlukan untuk mencegah tanah runtuh mengebumikan pekerja yang bekerja di dalam lubang atau parit tersebut. Keperluan untuk keperluan pemeriksaan keselamatan di tapak oleh orang yang kompeten, sebelum pekerja diminta memasuki lubang atau parit dengan kedalaman lebih dari 1 meter, dengan mengambilkira bahawa keselamatan juga akan dipengaruhi oleh jenis tanah, cuaca pada hari itu , getaran disebabkan oleh mesin yang beroperasi berdekatan atau sebab lain.

Diperlukan peraturan dan piawaian khusus, dan bukannya undang-undang umum yang kabur yang hanya membicarakan tanggungjawab keselamatan dan kesihatan umum 'sejauh mana yang dapat dilaksanakan'. Di beberapa negara lain, sudah ada undang-undang yang secara khusus menangani hal ini seperti Peraturan Pembinaan (Reka Bentuk dan Pengurusan) 2015 di United Kingdom.

Terdapat begitu banyak majikan dan syarikat yang terlibat dalam kerja-kerja pembinaan di Malaysia, dan adalah tidak masuk akal untuk mengharapkan mereka mengetahui semua bahaya dan risiko yang terlibat dalam pelbagai aspek pekerjaan mereka. Majikan dan syarikat, mungkin tidak menyedari risiko yang ditemui di tempat kerja lain berikutan beberapa kemalangan, dan oleh itu mungkin masih menjalankan kerja dengan cara yang sama berisiko tinggi mengancam nyawa melalui kejahilan.

Oleh itu, hanya wajar untuk kerajaan, yang memiliki data dan kepakaran berkenaan keselamatan dan kesihatan kerja, untuk melakukan apa yang diperlukan melalui pengubalan atau pembuatan peraturan dan/atau undang-undang perlu yang menyatakan langkah-langkah khusus yang harus diambil oleh majikan untuk memastikan keselamatan pekerja.

Setiap kejadian di tempat kerja iaitu kemalangan, kecederaan dan/atau kematian pekerja, akan memberikan kita pengajaran mengenai apa yang perlu dilakukan sekarang untuk mengelakkan kecelakaan sama di masa hadapann yang boleh kemungkinan mengakibatkan kematian pekerja. Kerajaan berkewajiban untuk mengambil langkah-langkah untuk memastikan kemalangan serupa tidak berulang di mana saja, dan jalan penyelesaian terbaik adalah perundangan undang-undang, peraturan dan undang-undang yang jelas yang tidak hanya akan menonjolkan bahaya, tetapi juga akan memastikan bahawa majikan dan syarikat melakukan apa yang diperlukan untuk mengurangkan risiko kematian dan kecederaan. Garis panduan atau nasihat sahaja tidak mencukupi.

2. Hebohkan kepada khalayak ramai dan janakan kesedaran mengenai Undang-Undang, Peraturan dan Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP)

Seringkali kerajaan menyebut mengenai SOP dan keperluan undang-undang lain, tetapi malangnya, ramai yang tidak tahudengan jelas isi kandungan sebenarnya perundangan ini, di mana ini menjejaskan kemungkinan pekerja dan orang ramai menghebohkan atau melapurkan ketidakpatuhan undang-undang oleh majikan dan syarikat.

Semua undang-undang, peraturan dan SOP terpakai mesti disenang diperolehi orang ramai, termasuk dengan memuatkannya dalam semua laman web agensi, jabatan dan Kementerian yang mempunyai tanggungjawab untuk memastikan keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan.

3. Pastikan hukuman yang tegas/deterent untuk mengurangkan ketidakpatuhan, justeru mengurangkan kematian dan kecederaan pekerja

Kehidupan dan kesejahteraan pekerja adalah kepentingan utama, dan dengan itu hukuman bagi majikan dan syarikat yang melanggar undang-undang yang melindungi keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerja mesti menjadi pencegahan/deterrent sekiranya Malaysia benar-benar prihatin kehidupan manusia.

Pada masa ini hukuman untuk pelanggaran undang-undang Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan adalah hanya denda, dan/atau penjara maksima 2 tahun. Namun, nampaknya macam tidak ada majikan atau Pengarah syarikat yang telah dipenjarakan, walaupun kegagalan mereka mengakibatkan kematian dan kecederaan pekerja. Pengarah dan pemilik syarikat, yang kadang-kadang mahu menjimatkan kos, sering memilih mengenepikan tugas dan kewajiban untuk melakukan perkara perlu untuk memastikan keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerja.

Kevin Otto, pemilik Atlantic Drain Services, sebuah syarikat di Amerika Syarikat baru-baru ini dijatuhkan hukuman penjara dua tahun setelah didapati bersalah atas dua tuduhan pembunuhan berkenaan kematian dua pekerja, Robert Higgins dan Kelvin Mattocks, yang lemas pada Oktober 2018 dalam keadaan tidak dilindungi , iaiitu lemas dalam Parit sedalam 14 kaki berikutan pembocoran satu paip air utama. Kevin seterusnya dihukum dengan 3 tahun tempoh percobaan selama tiga tahun, yang bermula setelah dia keluar penjara, di mana dalam tempoh ini beliau tidak dibenarkan mengaji sesiapa pun untuk pekerjaan yang melibatkan penggalian. (ISHN, 17/12/2019).

Di bidang kuasa lain, undang-undang yang ketat yang mengenakan hukuman yang lebih tinggi, termasuk kesalahan baru, telah digubal dengan tujuan mengurangkan risiko nyawa dan cedera pada pekerja. Di Australia, undang-undang Pembunuhan Industri (Industrial Manslaughter Laws) telah diperkenalkan.

JANGAN KEMATIAN PEKERJA TIDAK BERMAKNA. CEGAH KEMALANGAN SERUPA DAN KURANGKAN RISIKO KEHILANGAN NYAWA ATAU KECEDERAAN PEKERJA LAIN PADA MASA DEPAN.

Charles Hector

Apolinar Tolentino

Bagi pihak 40 pertubuhan dan 1 individu yang disenaraikan di bawah

ALIRAN

WH4C(Workers Hub For Change)

Associated Labour Union, Philippines

Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters- HRDP in Myanmar

Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) Asia Pacific Region

Building and Wood Workers’ Federation of Myanmar

Center for Orang Asli Concerns(COAC)

Clean Clothes Campaign(CCC) South East Asian Coalition

Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar – CTUM

Electrical Trades Union of Australia

IMA Research Foundation, Bangladesh

International Black Women for Wages for Housework

Kesatuan Pekerja Atlas Edible Ice Sdn Bhd

Kesatuan Sekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Selatan, Semenanjung Malaysia (KSIEWSSM)/Electronic Industry Employees Union Southern Region Peninsular Malaysia(EIEUSRPM)

Labour Behind the Label

MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)

MARUAH, Singapore

Marvi Rural Development Organization (MRDO), Pakistan

Migrant Care, Indonesia

NAMM (Network of Action for Migrants in Malaysia)

National Union of Transport Equipment & Allied Industries Workers (NUTEAIW)

National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (NUFAM)

North South Initiative (NSI)

Odhikar, Bangladesh

Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor

Safety and Rights Society (SRS), Bangladesh

Tenaganita, Malaysia

Timber Employees Union of Peninsula Malaysia

Union Network International- Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC)

Women of Color/Global Women’s Strike, United Kingdom

Bangladesh Group THE Netherlands

Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)

Sabah Timber Industry Employees Union (STIEU)

African Resources Watch (Afrewatch)

Association Of Home And Maquila Workers, ATRAHDOM- Guatemala.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia(PSM)

AMMPO-SENTRO - Asosasyon ng mga Makabayang Manggagawang Pilipino Overseas - Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Association of Nationalist Filipino Workers- Sentro a labor center in the Philippines)

Payday Men’s Network UK

Payday Men’s Network US

Workers Assistance Center, Inc. Philippines

Datuk Dr Ronald McCoy

International Workers’ Memorial Day Statement Mourn for dead, Fight for the living - 28/4/2020

Terjemahan Bahasa Melayu - Kenyataan Hari Peringatan Pekerja Maut Antarabangsa (28 April) - Berkabung untuk yang mati, Berjuang untuk yang hidup

Media Statement (40 Groups) – 28/4/2020

International Workers’ Memorial Day Statement

Mourn for dead, Fight for the living

Mere Remembrance of Dead Workers without Enacting New Laws to ensure future safety of the Living is Meaningless

On the occasion of the International Workers’ Memorial Day or Workers’ Mourning Day, celebrated annually on April 28, we, the 40 undersigned groups and trade unions lament the fact that workers’ death at worksites, have not resulted in the Malaysian government’s enactment of laws, regulations and standards that will prevent future deaths or injury in a similar situation.

International Workers’ Memorial Day or Workers’ Mourning Day is the international day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work. The slogan for the day is Mourn for the dead, Fight for the living.

While we mourn the loss of lives and injuries of workers, we struggle and fight for the living with the object of reducing risk of future loss of life and injury at the work place.

In Malaysia, in 2018, there were 611 fatal accident cases. In 2017, there were 711 fatal accident cases. (Bernama, 11/07/2018; Star, 7/1/2020). Interestingly, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) records of fatal accident cases investigated in 2017 and 2018, are only 206 and 260 respectively, which means that investigations are yet to be completed even in so cases that resulted in death.

The construction sector records one of the highest number of fatalities. The Occupational Safety and Health Department’s (DOSH) statistics recorded 169 deaths and 3,911 accidents in the construction sector for 2018.( NST, 15/2/2020) The rate of fatality per 100,000 workers in the construction sector is 13.44 in 2018, as compared to 14.57 in 2017.

Malaysia’s Fatal Accident Rate (FAR) was not only 10 times worse than that of the United Kingdom but had in fact deteriorated by 20 per cent since the turn of the century, according to a Construction Industry Development Board report.

Deaths by reason of trench collapses – death by being buried alive

Jalmi, an Indonesian worker in his 20s, died after he was buried in a three-metre drain during excavation works in Shah Alam, Selangor in October 2015. (NST, 5/10/2015).

In March 2015, it was reported that 2 construction workers in Machang, Kelantan, a local man and a Myanmar national were killed when earth collapsed and buried them in the hole whilst they were working on a water supply pipe project .(NST, 30/3/2015).

In September 2015, A Bangladeshi construction worker was killed in Kuala Lumpur after he was buried in a pile of soil, after the victim and his colleague had earlier dug a hole about three-meters deep to install underground pipes.(NST, 30/9/2015)

Nicholas anak Jawan, a 33-year-old worker, was killed in Sarawak after he was buried alive while building a deep monsoon drain (Malay Mail, 3/12/2019)

Md Shoriful, 43, and Julhas Rahman, 27, were killed when they were buried by mounds of falling earth at a housing project construction site in Mentakab, Temerloh where they were carrying out sewage pipe installation works. (BERNAMA/New Straits Times, 6/3/2020)

There will be much more similar cases, which unfortunately not all would have been reported by the media. Sadly, media reports also fails to respectfully name the workers who died, and also fails to make mention of the names of the companies and/or employers who may be responsible for these fatal accidents.

In the commemoration of this year’s IWMD, we call upon the Malaysian government to:

1. Enact and enforce laws and regulations that impose mandatory obligations to prevent further deaths in the future

Death by such trench collapses in Malaysia, and also all over the world, have been happening for years, and the question is why are there still no specific laws and regulations in place that will prevent such deaths in similar situations in the future.

What ought to be in such laws could be the requirement for needed supports and/or battering to prevent the soil from collapsing on workers working in such pits or trenches. The requirement for the need for safety inspection of the site by a competent person, before a worker is asked to enter any hole or trench of more than 1 meter depth, noting that safety will also be affected by type of soil, weather on that day, vibration caused by machines operating nearby or other reasons.

Specific regulations and standards are needed, rather than vague general laws that simply talk about ‘so far as practicable’ general obligations of safety and health. In some other countries, there are already laws that specifically deal with this like The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 in United Kingdom, and

There are so many employers and companies involved in construction works in Malaysia, and it absurd to expect them to know of all the dangers and risks involved in the various different aspects of their work. Employers and companies, may not be aware of the risks discovered at other worksites following some accidents, and as such may still be carrying out work in the same risky life-threatening manner through ignorance.

Thus, it is only reasonable and incumbent for the government, who has the data and expertise with regard to occupational safety and health issues, to do the needful through the making of needed regulations and/or laws, which includes steps to be taken by employers to ensure safety.

Every worksite incident that results in an accident, injury and/or death of a worker, ought to teach us what need to be done now to prevent future mishaps that may result in death of workers. The government is duty bound to take steps to ensure similar accidents do not recur anywhere, and the best solution is the enactment of clear laws, rules and regulations that will not only highlight the dangers, but will also make sure that employers and companies do the needful to reduce risk of death and injury. Mere guidelines or advisories are insufficient.

2. Make public and create awareness of Laws, Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

It is often that government mentions about SOPs and other legal requirements, but sadly many of these are not even known to workers and the public, thus making it impossible for people to even highlight actions and/or situations when employers and companies do not follow the law.

All applicable laws, regulations and SOPs must be made available to the public, including all websites of agencies, departments and Ministries having the responsibility for occupational safety and health.

3. Ensure deterrent sentences to reduce non-compliance, and reduce death and injury of workers

Worker lives and wellbeing are of primary importance, and as such penalty for employers and companies that breach laws that protect the safety and health of workers must be deterrent if Malaysia is truly concerned about human lives.

Currently penalties for violation of Occupational Safety and Health laws are fines, and a maximum of 2 years imprisonment. However, there seem to be no employers or Directors of companies that have been sent to prison, even when their failings have resulted in death and injury to workers. It is Directors and owners of companies that sometimes, to save cost, who choose to negate duties and obligations to do the needful to ensure worker safety and health.

Kevin Otto, owner of Atlantic Drain Services, a company in US was recently sentenced to two years imprisonment after being found guilty of two counts of manslaughter for the deaths of two employees, Robert Higgins and Kelvin Mattocks, who drowned in October 2018 in an unprotected, 14’ deep trench following a water main break. He was further penalized with three years’ probation following his sentence, and he can never again employ anyone in a job that involves excavation. (ISHN, 17/12/2019).

In other jurisdictions, stringent laws with higher penalties, including new offences, are being enacted with the object of reducing risk of life and injury to workers. In Australia, Industrial Manslaughter laws have been introduced.

LET NOT THE DEATH OF WORKERS NOT BE IN VAIN. PREVENT SIMILAR ACCIDENTS TO REDUCE FUTURE RISK OF LIVES OF OTHER WORKERS.