3 migrant workers die & CEO of MRT resigns - "constantly stressed on the needs to improve on the safety standards in the construction industry"

3 migrant workers from Bangladesh killed at construction worksite accident - and the CEO of Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) resigns - well Azhar, by the way, stated that he had always stressed on the need to improve safety in the construction industry.

Azhar said his decision to resign was in line with MRT Corp taking full responsibility for the incident. “As the head of MRT Corp, I am taking personal responsibility for the incident and this is the correct thing to do...

Malaysia really needs to be proactive and improve the safety at construction work sites - The attitude of just hoping that nothing happens and responding to accidents and death of workers must stop.

Azhar said he hopes this incident will serve as a lesson for those in the construction industry on ensuring safety at construction sites."I have been constantly stressed on the needs to improve on the safety standards in the construction industry since the first day I became the MRT Corp CEO."Unfortunately, this incident showed that safety standards may have been breached and that has brought about my resignation," said Azhar.

MRT boss resigns over fatal accident at worksite 

Published: 19 August 2014

Azhar has decided to resign following the incident which occurred in Kota Damansara yesterday. - The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, August18, 2014. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) chief executive officer Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid has tendered his resignation over the accident at an MRT worksite near Kota Damansara last night which claimed the lives of three workers.

Azhar said his decision to resign was in line with MRT Corp taking full responsibility for the incident.

“As the head of MRT Corp, I am taking personal responsibility for the incident and this is the correct thing to do. I have informed the Chairman of MRT Corp, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, of my decision,” he says.
Azhar was appointed CEO of MRT Corp on September 1, 2011 following the Government’s decision to set up the company to take over the ownership and development of the Klang Valley MRT Project from Syarikat Prasarana Malaysia Bhd. Meanwhile, MRT Corp also informed media in the latest update on the worksite accident that the bodies of the two remaining workers who were trapped beneath the span of the MRT guideway, which had dislodged from its piers and fallen on the ground below at 8.30pm yesterday night, have been recovered.

The bodies of Bangladesh nationals Mohamad Faruk Khan, 38, and Mohammad Alauddin Mollik, 34, were recovered at about 1.35pm after the sixth segmented box girders which form the span were lifted.

The body of the third Bangladeshi, Mohammad Elahi Hossain, was pulled out from under the MRT guideway at 2.34am.

In a statement today, Azhar assured that the relevant authorities will begin an investigation into the incident to identify its cause.

“I hope all weaknesses which are identified will be rectified,” he said, adding that he was "extremely saddened' by the loss of lives.

Azhar had always stressed the need to improve safety in the construction industry and had personally made some effort to achieve this.

MRT Corp also said that the bodies of two remaining workers, who were trapped under the concrete span, have been recovered.

The bodies of Bangladeshis Mohamad Faruk Khan, 38, and 34-year-old Mohammad Alauddin Mollik were recovered at about 1.35pm, after the sixth segmented box girders which form the span were lifted.

Earlier this morning, the body of Mohammad Elahi Hossain, 27, was found at 2.30 am trapped under the collapsed span.

The workers' remains were taken to the Sungai Buloh Hospital for post-mortem.

The three construction workers went missing after the 650-tonne span at the MRT worksite near the former Rubber Research Institute land collapsed at 8.30 pm yesterday

The Bangladesh High Commission has been informed, MRT said, to contact the family members of the three workers who had died.

"MRT Corp and SMPP (contractor Syarikat Muhibah Perniagaan dan Pembinaan Sdn Bhd) will make the necessary arrangements for the bodies to be repatriated to Bangladesh once the next of kin have been informed and consent is given by the High Commission," the statement read.

All work at the site has been called off until further notice, it said, adding that Project Delivery Partner MMC Gamuda KVMRT (PDP) Sdn Bhd has commenced investigations to determine the cause of the incident.

“Initial investigations have revealed that the work method approved for the installation of parapets was not adhered to.

“We will investigate why this happened, and no stone will be left unturned so that we can get to the bottom of this tragic incident. We will also not spare anyone whose actions are found to have caused or contributed to this accident,” Azhar said.

He also assured that the MRT structures have been checked to be safe, allaying public worry over the safety of the span.

“Immediate checks carried out have revealed that there is no reason for the public to worry about the other spans which have been built along the alignment. There is absolutely no issue with structural integrity along our alignment,” he says.

Meanwhile, Subang MP R Sivarasa has urged authorities to suspend the whole MRT project until investigations can be carried out to prove that it was safe, adding that this was the second case of a similar nature in merely two months.

"Road users who frequently pass through MRT work sites should have confidence in their safety. These two incidents, unfortunately, do not inspire any confidence.

"Until this confidence is restored through detailed reports, I urge that the work should be stopped immediately," he said in a statement. – August 19, 2014, Malaysian Insider, MRT boss resigns over fatal accident at worksite

 

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/mrt-boss-resigns-over-accident#sthash.RCabbStb.dpuf 

 

 

MRT CEO resigns over construction site accident

Posted on 19 August 2014 - 06:19pm
Last updated on 19 August 2014 - 06:53pm

Nabilah Hamudin
newsdesk@thesundaily.my

SUNPIX

SUNGAI BULOH: Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Corp chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid (pix) has resigned over Monday night's accident at the MRT construction site in Kota Damansara.

"I have informed the Chairman of MRT Corp Tan Sri Ali Hamsa of my decision and I will be submitting my resignation letter to him later. I know my resignation will not bring the lives of the three workers back, but I believe it is the correct thing to do," said Azhar during a press conference at the Kota Damansara MRT project site today.

Azhar said he hopes this incident will serve as a lesson for those in the construction industry on ensuring safety at construction sites.

"I have been constantly stressed on the needs to improve on the safety standards in the construction industry since the first day I became the MRT Corp CEO.

"Unfortunately, this incident showed that safety standards may have been breached and that has brought about my resignation," said Azhar.

Meanwhile, the Director of Stakeholder Relations and Land Management, Haris Fadzilah Hassan will assume the role of acting CEO until a successor is appointed by the government.

In the 8.30pm incident yesterday, 650 tonnes of concrete at the construction site of an overhead rail passage of the Sungai Buloh – Kajang MRT line had collapsed, resulting in the deaths of three Bangladeshi nationals - Mohamad Faruk Khan, 38, Mohammad Alauddin Mollik, 34, and Mohammad Elahi Hossain, 27.

It is learnt that the three victims worked for MRT Corp's sub-contractors.- Sun, 19/8/2014, MRT CEO resigns over construction site accident

Exploited abused workers building Malaysia's new Palace?? Shameful that UMNO-led BN government is allowing this...

Workers building the new palace for the Malaysian King are being exploited...this is an embarrassment. (see media reports below.)

UMNO-led BN government is, I believe, really pro-employer pro-big businesses ....and not pro-workers. Over the years, this government has, by their actions and omissions, demonstrated that they are  not concerned about worker rights or welfare. Under present laws and policies, it makes it so easy for employers to not only exploit workers.. but to get away scot-free. This applies to all workers in Malaysia - both local and migrant workers. We have a law that when a unionized worker gets wrongfully terminated by the employer, that worker is no longer a member of the union - and as such cannot hope for the assistance of the workers' union at the time the worker most needs it. [The Malaysian Trade Union Congress have been long campaigning for a repeal of this unjust provision in law.]

Labour suppliers....sub-contractors...outsourcing companies... - this has all made workers weak...unable to unite against a common employer. Further, it also 'blurs' the worker-employer relationship as currently enshrined in labour laws... ["...more than 1,000 migrant workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal and Vietnam hired by more than 130 sub-contractors..." This means less than 10 workers per 'employer', in fact  about 7.69 per 'employer' - is this number even enough to form a trade union? Divide...and oppress.

In the construction industry, it may make sense having to sub-contract different parts of the contract, i.e. one for the electrical people, one for the water/sewage systems, one for the elevators/lifts, one for those doing the tiling works, etc... but sadly the same thing is happening in the factories as well. 

The factory owners...or the main contractor...just turns around and say that they are not the employers...and that they own no obligations to the sad workers. What about occupational health and safety...? 

Living conditions of workers - Malaysia still does not have any law that stipulates the minimum standard of temporary housing for workers at construction sites... or even housings that is provided by employers in factories..for workers (migrant workers usually)... Why don't we have a regulation/law stipulating minimum housing standards...and food requirements? We have needed such laws for a very long time now...

Even, when there are laws stipulating worker rights - what happens when the worker tries to claim his/her rights  - they lose their jobs... and, in the case of migrant workers, they may even get arrested, detained and deported without getting paid their wages, etc... [Unscrupulous employers call the police, RELA...and they come arrest the migrant workers. Why? Because the migrant workers cannot show their passports and/or their immigration work passes...as their employer (or sub-contractors...or agents) are wrongfully holding on to these documents. Since the worker is a trouble maker for claiming rights, the employer just do not go get them out...and they languish in the detention centers,...sometime even get whipped...and deported.]. See recent media statement about this:- STOP PENALIZING WORKERS WHO WANT TO GET JUSTICE - MAXTER GLOVE SHOULD REINSTATE BURMESE MIGRANT WORKER WHO COMPLAINED TO LABOUR DEPARTMENT

Shouldn't Labour Department officials be making spot-checks at places of work to ensure that worker rights are being protected...and that employers are following the law. They do not generally ... but if they do, then more likely workers may get their rights reducing the risk of being terminated..discriminated against when they themselves go and make the complaint.  Now, in this palace case....the Minister has assured us that he will investigate. Will they?

KUALA LUMPUR: Many foreign workers hired to build the new RM800mil Istana Negara claim they have not been paid over the last three months despite working seven days a week.

Living in fear and frustration, the workers alleged they were exploited and cheated and held to ransom by their employers because many of them do not have work permits.

There are more than 1,000 migrant workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal and Vietnam hired by more than 130 sub-contractors who are involved in the Jalan Duta palace project.

Most of them stay in kongsi or long wooden houses near the construction site.

Eating sparingly: Workers having a meal at a stall in the kongsi during lunch time. Some claim they only have one meal a day.

According to workers interviewed by The Star, some employers threatened to call the police when they persisted in asking for their wages.

Several workers even claimed they were harassed by the police and Rela officers and that their possessions like mobile phones, cigarettes and canned drinks were confiscated.

When contacted, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said he would ask the Labour Department to investigate the matter and take immediate action.

Indonesian Punawi, 32, who does plastering work, said he had not been paid for five months and barely had any money left for food.

“I only manage with one meal a day and that’s because the foodstall owner allows me to eat on credit. My work permit has expired and I don’t have RM3,000 to renew it,” he added.

Jatim, 37, said their employer would hold back their wages for three to four months and they would subsequently be paid a month’s salary.

Some employers, he claimed, would extend loans of RM50 to RM100 per week to the workers, leaving them in debt.

Jatim’s wife, Salimah, 32, who lives with him at the kongsi near the construction site with their five-month-old baby, said they often lived in fear of police raids.

“Each time there is a raid, I grab my baby and run. Some of us have to spend the night in the jungle to escape the authorities.”

Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the last police raid took place several months ago to flush out illegals squatting in the jungles.

“Perhaps another agency was involved in the recent raids. If the allegations are true, the workers can come and see me and I will do what I can to help,” Wan Abdul Bari said.

Bukit Aman CID Director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said police would take take stern action against the employers if the workers’ claims were found to be true.

“We will also investigate the workers’ claim that policemen roughed them up during raids,” he said.

He urged the workers to come out of hiding and lodge police reports in order for justice to be done. - Star, 27/6/2010, Migrant workers claim they’re being held to ransom by bosses

KUALA LUMPUR: Many foreign workers hired to build the RM800mil Istana Negara claim that they have not received three months’ wages from some project sub-contractors.

There are over 1,000 migrant workers hired by 130 sub-contractors working at the project site.

The Star, responding to an SOS call, visited the site in Jalan Duta and found the workers living in frustration and fear as many do not have work permits or cannot afford to renew their permits which have expired.

Foreign workers seen at the construction site of the new palace in Kuala Lumpur recently. The workers allege that they are being exploited and held to ransom by their employers because many of them do not have work permits. — SAMUEL ONG / The Star

The project’s main contractor, Maya Maju Sdn Bhd, said it is the responsibility of the sub-contractors to pay their workers.

The Human Resources Ministry has asked the Labour Department to investigate the matter and take immediate action while the police has asked the workers to come forward to lodge complaints. - Star, 27/6/2010, Foreigners hired to build palace claim they have not been paid

KUALA LUMPUR: The main contractor for the new Istana Negara project claims it is the responsibility of the sub-contractors to pay their workers.

When The Star visited Maya Maju Sdn Bhd’s site office in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur, project manager Abdul Razak Mat Yunus said they paid their contractors on time and it was up to them to pay their workers.

Maya Maju’s contract is worth almost RM650mil, while the building of an elevated highway to the main entrance of the palace, awarded to Ahmad Zaki Sdn Bhd, costs RM130mil.

Abdul Razak referred the matter to the Public Works Department, adding that only the department could give an official comment on the issue.

At the PWD site office, construction manager Aidzil Adzahar Ahmad, however, said Maya Maju was responsible for the workers and the department was merely overseeing the project on behalf of the Government.

“It is their project,” he said, adding that he was unaware of workers being abused and not getting paid.

Human rights lawyer N. Surendran said these migrant workers were “tied” to their employers who would hold on to their passports.

“Such workers do not have much say or means to complain if they are not given what has been promised to them,” he said.

He said that if a worker dared to question his boss, his employment could be easily terminated and he could be sent back to his home country. The worker, he said, would have spent a lot of money to come here to work.

“Many are desperate to earn money and help their families back home. For fear of deportation, they are forced to abide by the circumstances that they are in.”

Although, the Malaysian labour law also applies to foreigners, there is always the practical problem.

“They are put in a tight situation. Lodge a complaint and the employer cracks down on you, terminates your employment and you’re sent back to your country. So there is no real protection.

“Eventually there is no one to turn to and that is why workers put up with the conditions they are in.” - Star, 27/6/2010, Firm: Workers usually paid by sub-contractors

100 storey building in KL - taller than the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers....Referendum please

The the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers will no longer be the tallest building for the Federal Government is planning to build a 100-storey building (or is it 3 hundred-storey building).

Are we not afraid of earth quakes? Do we in Malaysia really need such high structures? What about the increase of cars and traffic jams for all the sites are in already busy areas?

I thought we were over the tallest flag pole... the tallest tower...the tallest twin tower...but alas, here we go again and this time it will be 100-storey buildings...

And do we have the necessary fire fighting equipments for such a high building? What happens if there is a power failure? Walking down will be fun....

Have the people in the area been consulted? Have the notice board inviting objections and questions been put up at the project site. For these kind of 'mega project', it is not enough to just give the right to object to adjacent registered land owners. This right must be given to all people who live and work around the said area.

Today, even to get to court from the Jalan Duta traffic light ( a distance of about 400 meters), it can take about 20-25 minutes in the morning because of the traffic congestion. And, now there will be another 100-storey building in that area.

Priority should be to improve public transport - not building mega projects. Note that many of the buildings in KL and Klang Valley are already having difficulty getting tenants - so, really do we really need more office spaces?

 Three sites in the city have been identified for the development of iconic structures to spur growth in the economy. 

Sources say they are Dataran Perdana in Jalan Davis, the area surrounding Stadium Merdeka and the vicinity of the Matrade Centre in Jalan Duta.

All the plots of land are privately owned.Two belong to governmentlinked companies — Pelaburan Hartanah Bumiputera Bhd and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) — while the Naza group owns 25ha in the vicinity of the Matrade Centre.

Economists were recently briefed by the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department on the implementation of the iconic projects, as part of efforts to boost the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Even though the actual designs of the three structures have not been finalised, two appeared to have a 100-storey building each.

This could rival the highest structure in the country — the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers, completed in 1997 at a cost of US$1.2 billion (RM4.05 billion).

While it is understood that the design for such a skyscraper is included in the original development master plan for the 25ha site around the Matrade centre, another source claimed that a 100-storey building is to be built near Stadium Merdeka, owned by PNB.

Bank Islam Malaysia chief economist Azrul Azwa said: “The key thing is the huge cost of the development and what the government’s role will be in this.

“There needs to be a costbenefit analysis of the projects to ensure they not only give short-term benefits to GDP but also help the economy in the long run.” RSP Architect’s Hud Bakar said a 100-storey building, on average, would cost 50 per cent more per square foot than a normal high-rise building, depending on the actual design.

Real estate agent Previndran Singhe of Zerin Properties said: “It is good to have iconic developments. But we should do away with the perception that iconic developments mean tall buildings.”- New Straits Times, 7/12/2009, 100-storey skyscrapers planned for Kuala Lumpur

Developers and construction players are generally, in favour of several mega property projects in the pipeline in Kuala Lumpur, especially the proposed development of a multi billion ringgit 100-storey skycraper, expected to be built near Matrade Centre, bordering Jalan Kuching and Jalan Duta.

Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM) president Ng Kee Leen said the mega projects would help spur the Malaysian economy further and provide more jobs to players in the industry .

Occupying a 28-ha site owned by Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), the project could be completed in three to five years, if approved.

“It’s definitely the right time to revive the construction industry in a big way as (prices of) raw materials for the construction industry have stabilised and more importantly, consumer confidence, both local and foreign, is rising,” Ng told StarBiz yesterday.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall had approved several 30-storey and 50-storey property developement projects in the city, which are expected to commence soon.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall and top officials from PNB were unavailable for comments on the mega projects or confirm if the proposed100-storey skyscraper project had been approved.

Ng said despite the current property overhang, there were signs of a revival in the construction industry.

“There is now more hiring of draftsmen and architects and if most of the mega projects are appproved, it would certainly help further boost the Malaysian economy,” he said.

On the impact of the 100-storey property project, Ng said: “We don’t see this (building more mega property projects) as having a negative impact on the construction industry or the economy.”

“It would show to the world the Malaysia’s seriousness in following through with its plans,” he said, citing the continued property developments in Hong Kong and Singapore despite the current property overhang.

Jack Chua, a local real estate property agent and a property consultant specialising in property in the Golden Triangle area, said the impact of new mega projects would overall be positive to the economy.

“We believe if Malaysian government policies remain consistent and attractive, there should still be good buying interest from locals and foreigners, even if more mega projects come onstream,” he said.

Meanwhile, a local property analyst said while government policies had generally been proactive and supportive of the construction industry’s growth, the recent re-introduction of the real estate property gains tax (RPGT) did not go well with players in the industry.

“Many of them felt that the RPGT came very suddenly, just when the construction industry was showing signs of recovery,” he said.

The analyst said many construction players, including associations like MBAM and Real Estate and Housing Developers Association, had urged the Government to reconsider deferring the RPGT to a more appropriate time. - Star, 8/12/2009, Builders positive on mega property projects

Burmese migrants in Thailand and Malaysia demand equal rights (Mizzima, 10/6/2009)

Burmese migrants working in Thailand and Malaysia have released a joint statement on the impact of the global economic crisis on Burmese migrant workers, urging relevant governments to address their concerns.

Burmese migrants, support groups, trade union leaders, human rights activists and lawyers from Thailand and Malaysia noted in a statement released on Tuesday following a conference in Bangkok that the Thai and Malaysian governments’ response to the situation of migrant workers affected by the economic crisis has not been comprehensive, failing to provide adequate protection for workers.

“Migrant workers are not even included in these [economic assistance] programs and are thus expected to deal with the impact of the economic crisis by themselves,” according to the release.

“Employers must not use the economic crisis as an excuse to dismiss workers or close down factories without adequate notice to the workers,” added the group.

They also noted that employers currently fail to adequately compensate migrant workers, calling for the establishment of a mechanism to ensure just compensation in addition to appealing for equal access to programs aimed at lessening hardship stemming from the economic crisis.

Specifically, the group seeks the abolition of Malaysia’s ‘Foreign Workers First Out’ principle – a policy necessitating migrant workers lose their jobs before local workers in times of crisis regardless of time on the job.

Burmese migrants in both Malaysia and Thailand have also reported accidents in the workplace due to sub-standard occupational health and safety standards and enforcement.

“The governments of Thailand and Malaysia should ensure that employers do not take shortcuts on matters concerning health and safety of workers and facilitate migrants’ access to the legal mechanisms to receive compensation when accidents do occur,” argues the consortium.

Further, due to the undocumented status of many parents, migrant children often have difficulty in accessing education. As a result, the group calls for the governments of both countries to support the education of migrant children in both formal and non-formal education systems.

The group is additionally concerned for those migrants lacking official status or without full status. In such an atmosphere, without proper protective mechanisms in place, it is said migrants can be subjected to the arbitrary decisions or desires of employers and governments alike.

Because of their lack of protection, migrants face an increased risk of arrest, detention and deportation. “We are deeply concerned about the recent reports of deaths of migrants in detention in Malaysia, deaths which could have been avoided with proper access to health care,” stipulate the aggrieved.

The statement concluded by calling for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its constituent parts to abandon their constructive engagement policy toward the Burmese regime which, they contend, serves merely to prolong the injustice in Burma.

The joint declaration followed the second Two Destinations One Origin Conference organized by the MAP Foundation (Thailand), Workers Hub for Change (WH4C) and Network of Action for Migrants in Malaysia (NAMM).

Source: Mizzima, 10/6/2009, Burmese migrants in Thailand and Malaysia demand equal rights

746 workers died in industrial accidents in Malaysia in 2008

Recently, we had 7 workers who died during the former Jaya Supermarket demolition accident. Later, it was revealed that the said employer did not have the necessary approval of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).

Now, it has been revealed that in 2008, there were 44,918 industrial accidents, and 746 workers died. This is unacceptable.

No information have been provided as to whether action have been taken against the negligent parties.

No information as to whether these workers and/or their dependents have received their compensation under the SOCSO (for local workers) and Workmen's Compensation (for foreign workers).

How many foreign workers died? Did their dependents receive their compensation?

The 'secretive' maner of reporting makes us wonder whether the 7 who died at the recent Jaya Supermarket incident were documented or undocumented workers. Were they registered workers - entitled to the SOCSO/Workmen's Compensation?

Should undocumented (or 'illegal' ) workers be entitled to receive the compensation provided for under these social security schemes/insurances when they meet with an industrial accident or die as a result of this accident? YES - reasonably and justly they should get their due compensation.

Mr Minister, tell us more and re-affirm us that these undocumented workers also get the said compensation when they are victims of industrial accidents.

There were 44,918 accidents at the work place in the country for the whole of last year with 746 fatal cases.

The Deputy Minister of Human Resources, Datuk Maznah Mazlan, said the figure was quite high and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) would intensify efforts to reduce the rate.

She said the DOSH was responsible in ensuring that employers implemented and complied with all the guidance and procedures on safety and health at the work place.

The ministry noted that many employers were still neglecting the aspects of safety at the work place and were reluctant to register with the DOSH, she said.

"For example, out of the total of 215 estates and plantations in Negeri Sembilan, only 126 were registered with the DOSH," she told reporters after opening the seminar on occupational safety and health in the agricultural and livestock breeding sectors organised by the DOSH, Negeri Sembilan at the Industrial Training Institute, Pedas, near here today.

Maznah said most of the industrial accidents involved the manufacturing and agricultural sectors.- Bernama, 28/5/2009, Rate Of Industrial Accidents Still High

What are the laws that cover workers when it comes to industrial accidents (including travel to and from the workplace)? Here is just some brief general points, that I found from the Port Klang Free Zone website

Two compensation schemes provided for local and foreign workers are as follows:

1. Social Security Organisation (SOCSO):

• Administers the Employment Injury Insurance Scheme and the Invalidity Pension Scheme provided under the Employees' Social Security Act 1969. Socso only covers Malaysian workers and permanent residents.
• All establishments, including factories, employing workers earning wages not exceeding RM2,000 a month are required to insure their workers under the two social security schemes.
• The Employment Injury Insurance Scheme provides employees with coverage by way of cash benefits and medical care in the event of any disablement or death due to employment injury. Only the employer pays the contribution of about 1.25% of the employees' monthly wages.
• The Invalidity Pension Scheme provides 24-hour coverage to employees against invalidity and death due to any cause before attaining the age of 55 years. The 1% monthly contribution is shared equally between the employer and employee.

2. Foreign Workers' Compensation Plan (FWCP) - Malaysia

• The Workmen's Compensation Act 1952 administered by the Department of Labour provides for the payment of compensation to workmen in the event of injuries arising from their employment. Where fatalities occur, the Act provides for the payment of compensation to the workers' dependants.
• The Act covers private sector workers who earn less than RM500 a month and all manual workers irrespective of their wages.
• Malaysian and permanent residents who are covered by SOCSO are NOT covered by this Act.
• All foreign workers come under the purview of the Act in respect of compensation for employment injury as well as non-employment injury via the Workmen's Compensation (Foreign Workers' Compensation Scheme) (Insurance) Order 1998.
• Under Section 26(2) of the Amended Act 1996 of Workmen's Compensation Act 1952, it is mandatory for every employer to insure all the foreign workers employed by him under an approved insurance scheme in respect of any liability he may incur.

4 workers dead - Employer? According to law, dependents get RM25K only if...

Tell me about the 4 workers (migrant workers) who died...

Tell me about their family/dependents...

Tell me their names...

Tell me whether they are documented workers (or undocumented workers) - tell me who their employer is... [Why is the name of their employer not being reported in the media? Is he connected to powerful persons? Did the employer cut corners to save money - and was this the cause of this accident?]

Tell me whether the Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) was doing their job to ensure that the demolition work was done with the adequate safety equipments...and in a safe manner. (The MBPJ headquarters is only about 2 kilometers from the accident site...)

Tell me whether the Occupational Health and Safety officers had visited the site before the collapse and ensured that the required Occupational Health and Safety standards were met - or are they only NOW coming there..

Are these workers under the Workmen's Compensation Scheme - do they have the required additional insurance as required by Workmen's Compensation (Foreign Workers' Compensation Scheme)(Insurance) Order 2005.

The dead worker, under Workmen's Compensation (sec.8) would get RM18,000 or sixty months wages, whichever is less. [But there is this odd proviso in section 8, that says that if the deceased did not leave any dependents, then only amount for the funeral or RM1,ooo, whichever is less - really odd]

Under the insurance, for death he also gets..."....a sum of seven thousand ringgit in the event of death of a workman from personal injury sustained in an accident which arises out of and in the course of his employment..."

Therefore, the family and dependents of the dead migrant worker will get RM18K + RM7K = RM25K [Is this JUST - I think not...and believe that this figure needs to subtantially be increased taking into account the increased cost of living (and inflation)] What about the expenses of family members coming over, cost of getting the body transported back for burial, etc...

What if these are undocumented workers? What will their dependents and family get...?

Search and rescue personnel have uncovered the remains of the fourth victim from the rubble of the collapsed Jaya Supermarket building in Petaling Jaya this afternoon.

MCPX

At about 3am, the body of the third victim was discovered.

The three were among nine workers who were trapped when the five-storey building collapsed after demolition works went awry yesterday evening.

Two of the workers, all of whom are believed to be Indonesian nationals, are currently undergoing treatment at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre.

Yesterday, Petaling Jaya district police chief Arjunaidi Mohamad said all nine victims were on the ground floor at the time of the incident.

He added that firemen used a skylift to assess the safety level of the affected building before the search and rescue team could enter it.

Meanwhile, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Lajim Ukin said initial investigation indicated that the structure might have collapsed due to overloading as heavy machinery were used in the demolition work. - Malaysiakini, 29/5/2009, Stop-work order issued as death toll rises

RM25 K may really not be sufficient for the family/dependents to pay off the debts incurred in coming over to Malaysia - all that agent fees, etc...