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May 16, 2009 15:51 PM

MTUC Calls For Freezing Of Licences To Outsourcing Companies

By Sajad Hussein

PETALING JAYA, May 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) today called on the government to freeze licences to outsourcing companies dealing in migrant labour, due to rampant abuse and the "flooding" the country with redundant workers.

"These companies are only interested in profits and not at all bothered about the welfare of the migrant workers," MTUC vice-president A. Balasubramaniam told Bernama.

He disclosed that the MTUC had received numerous complaints and reports against the companies concerned and it was detrimental to Malaysia's image and well-being.

He said the companies brought in excess labour to maximise profits and there were some 1.2 million foreign workers in the country at present.

"When workers arrive here, they cannot find employment and are thus abandoned by the companies to fend for themselves. Many of these workers then turn to petty crime to survive," he added.

Balasubramaniam said the MTUC had also received reports that some of these outsourcing companies were blacklisted by the Human Resources Ministry for various offences under the Employment Act, and yet, continued bringing in foreign workers with impunity.

"This is a mockery of our laws," he contented.

According to Balasubramaniam, this was possible because, the Ministry of Human Resources did not have the jurisdiction to cancel the licence of these errant companies as it was under the Home Affairs Ministry.

He said besides freezing the licences, the government should also allow the Human Resources Ministry to handle the licensing and modus operandi of the 276 outsourcing companies.

"The Home Affairs Ministry should be confined to only the immigration functions like ensuring the validity of permits and adhering to its conditions.

"The Human Resources Ministry should be tasked to deal with the licensing as well as enforcement of work conditions as it had the resources and knowledge about labour issues," Balasubramaniam added.

-- BERNAMA

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