29 June 2009 INDONESIAN MINISTER TOLD - STOP YOUR THREATS - YOU CAN KEEP YOUR MAIDS PERIOD! So we are told that Indonesia will temporarily suspend sending domestic helpers to Malaysia amid outrage over the alleged abuse of its nationals by their employers! Please - not necessary to say temporarily - please make it permanent! Let us see who blinks first, let us see who takes the boat to illegally come across to work here and when convenient rob their employers and do all those 'abusive and immoral things' despite being married and having kids in Indonesia! Yes, there are cases of abuse but certainly not in the manner nor degree that it is painted out to be by individiuals and NGO's having their own 'political and funding agenda!' Are the abuse, rape and assaults and other 'horror stories' worst off than that of the Gulf countries and West Asia? Are they worst off than in Indonesian itself? Let us get real - Indonesian maids are certainly no 'Mother Theresa'and there are enough cases from vice to selling babies out of wedlock to theft and what have you and when exposed - they scream bloody abuse or worse - of assault and rape! And we have a fool like Erman Suparno making incorrect statements against us Malaysians helped by the 'new media!' Malaysians are paying over RM7000/- for Indonesian Maids and that is a fact! And for what? To run away after 3 months 'aided and abetted' by the maid agency since they know that they can run away and roam the streets of Malaysia without being detected and if detected so what? They 'know how to get away' and I do not have to get to the details! There is no necessity for a new agreement and it is best Malaysia looks at other countries besides Indonesia for their needs in this area! We have China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and if need be, the Pacific Islands. Indonesia has proposed that domestic helpers be protected from non-payment of wages and poor conditions and be ensured of the right to days off. I have no problems with that provided the Indonesian government will reimburse me of my RM7000/- once that maid is pregnant from another Indonesian construction worker or worse still - by an unknown man, perhaps a Bangladeshi or runs away! When this happens maid agencies are no help at all! There are many a 'horror story' and Indonesian maids are also no angels! Indonesia should take a serious look at themselves and not make statements as if we Malaysians are a brute force, violent, sexually and physically harassing our maids and worst still, not paying them their wages! Please get real! And I urge Malaysian policymakers to tell Jakarta that if they are unhappy they can keep their maids - period! TIME MALAYSIA TOLD INDONESIA TO KEEP THEIR MAIDS AT HOME! LET US SEE WHO BLINKS FIRST!
23 June 2009 IS THIS A FAIR COMMENT AND REALITY ON THE MALAYSIAN GROUND? Maids here not protected from exploitation Chris Pearman In connection to the recent call by the Indonesian government for protection of Indonesian foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Malaysia, Caram Asia would like to reiterate our recommendation for the Malaysian government to amend the Employment Act to ensure a comprehensive legal measure to protect the rights of all domestic workers. The proposal by the Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (Papa) for employers to attend a one-day course on their responsibilities and duties will not prevent abuses. How can FDWs who are confined to private homes, without a day off away from the surveillance of their employers and with their passports and legal documents held by employers, leave the house to seek help when abused and exploited? Therefore we reiterate our call that the government should: Incorporate a comprehensive mandatory standard contract for domestic workers into the Employment Act without discrimination on the workers' nationalities, stating clearly terms and conditions of work with a well-defined job scope, a minimum wage and prohibiting employers or agents from keeping a domestic workers' passport and any other personal legal documents. This contract spells out all the labour rights for FDWs in the Employment Act which would then be enforceable as part of the Employment Act. Ensure the right to a paid day off for all domestic workers is enforced by the end of 2009 as announced by the Human Resources Minister. Develop redress mechanisms for more effective accountability of non-state actors (employers, recruitment agencies, brokers) for violations against domestic workers. Under existing legislation, domestic workers in Malaysia are defined as ‘servants’ under the Malaysian Employment Act 1955, and as such they are currently excluded from regulations relating to such issues as rest days, hours of work, and termination benefits. The situation is further compounded by the fact that FDW are the lowest paid workers (especially Indonesians who constitute the majority of FDW) in the absence of a legal minimum wage. Yet, with their passports and other legal documents held by employers or agents, they risk arrest by the immigration services and Rela if they attempt to leave their employers to access the justice system. We also note with great concern that as the job description of the FDW is arbitrarily defined by employers, the current legal framework does not protect them from exploitation. In many cases, FDWs find themselves working not only in the employer's house but also in the homes of the employers' relatives, restaurants and other business outlets owned by their employer. As a result, some FDWs have to work as long as sixteen hours a day, seven days a week without a break in a year. Malaysia's move to amend its domestic legislation would also mark a move to fall in line with international labour and human rights standards. The country has already committed to uphold human rights protections through its ratification of both the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). As such, the Malaysian government must acknowledge its commitment to this through its transference of these principles into domestic law with subsequent enforcement. Only then will their commitments to international obligations be met, and the rights of women and children be guaranteed under the law. The General Comment 26 of the Cedaw Convention acknowledges that domestic workers should be protected by labour laws and entitled to wage and hour regulations, health and safety codes, holiday and vocation leave regulations etc. This convention adopted by Malaysia also states that `these laws should include mechanisms by which to monitor the workplace conditions of migrant women’. If the state can hold perpetrators of violence against women accountable for what they do in private homes, they must also monitor the working conditions of FDWs. Next year, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) will start working on the process of adopting a new standard for domestic workers that could possibly lead to a new specific Domestic Workers Convention. Therefore, if Malaysia can amend and make additions to domestic legislation on domestic workers, it will be a progression in line with the international community that will convene during the 2010 ILO Conference on Decent Work for Domestic Workers. The writer is attached to Caram Asia, ian NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. JG says: I hope writers and reseachers would be more balanced in their reports! I can also cite many a horror stories suffered by a large base of Malaysian employers but that is not news worthy is it for certain quarters interested in pure spins and to tarnish Malaysian image? Yes, we do have isolated problems where maids are victims but largely Malaysians are very kind and generous! We must be objective and focussed and if Indonesians (not the self righteous organizations and NGO's) - feel we Malaysian are so vicious as they are painting us out to be - please stay away! We will see who needs who more! The truth is we have more horror sagas caused by Indonesians on our shores rather than the other way around!
22 June 2009 DAMMING REPORT SHOULD STIR HOME MINISTER TO CLEAN UP MINISTRY! I refer to Malaysiakini’s ‘Malaysia blacklisted for human trafficking’ I am the least not surprised that the US State Department’s annual 'Trafficking in Persons Report 2009', which examined efforts in more than 173 countries to combat trafficking for forced labor, prostitution, military service and other purposes, has Malaysia sharing the blacklist with 16 other countries! Among the 17 countries on the blacklist are Burma, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, Sudan and Saudi Arabia. That indeed Malaysia is being cited as a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and for men, women, and children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor is simply damming! But more importantly, will our inclusion with other rogue nations like Chad, Eritrea, Niger, Mauritania, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe now make us a pariah among developing nations? But will the blacklisting and now possible sanctions, including the withholding by US of non-humanitarian, non-trade related foreign aid and other funding for government officials to participate in educational and cultural exchange programmes ‘be a carrot’ to initiate widespread, critical and clinical changes? I personally doubt it based on my knowledge, involvement and experience in this matter! I will not be wrong to say, that today corruption is so ‘entrenched and widespread’ in the foreign workers division’ - the ‘prized cash cow’ of the ministry of home affairs, where corrupt officials, their subordinates, politicians, runners, proxies, and owners industry, construction, plantation, of food and service outlets and chains nationwide work ‘hand in glove’ in a carefully mastered art of corruption and kick-backs! If the ‘Bangladesh approvals’ are used as a yardstick – one can conclude it would be run like a ‘mafia styled operation’ , very closely knit group, where officers who are seen as a threat of exposure of their corrupt ways are removed under various guises! This situation is today made worse after the selection and licensing of over 280 outsourcing companies and the reopening of the Bangladesh sector! When I raised this matter first several years ago after various underhanded and corrupt activities derailed the legitimate documentation of the return of PATI workers an issue that despite receiving widespread coverage over the electronic and print media nothing happened. This was the ordeal I experienced despite my private discussions with the then home minister and officials. I was told that the man I accused then as ‘the mastermind’ was a ‘high ranking untouchable!’ The twist then was instead I was ‘blacklisted’ and ‘my rice bowl’ broken despite having a strong endorsement from the then deputy prime minister and home minister! That was how powerful this high ranking untouchable or ‘little Napoleon’ was! I also received many death threats which were also highlighted over the same media! To put it sarcastically, the identities of the participants and players is no secret but will the home ministry want to pursue this course which will tarnish their name, lead to the sacking or removal of tainted officials but all importantly, help them regain the respect and gratefulness of all honorable and decent Malaysians? I have very high respect for the present home minister, Hishammuddin Tun Hussein Onn and I sincerely pray that he will be willing to meet individuals and others with price sensitive information on these happenings privately and address the issues accordingly! In view of the US State Department report, this is not the time for high powered denials or rebuttal but a period that demands a massive cleanup that will result in the removal of those corrupt and smearing the image of the home ministry and the nation!
17 June 2009 BREAKING NEWS! SHOCKING BUT IS THIS TRUE? MALAYSIAN IN THE NEWS AGAIN FOR THE WRONG REASONS! The United States has put Malaysia back on the blacklist of countries trafficking in people after removing the country from the list last year. The State Department annual 'Trafficking in Persons Report 2009', which examined efforts in more than 150 countries to combat trafficking for forced labour, prostitution, military service and other purposes, has Malaysia sharing the blacklist with 17 countries. Among the countries on the blacklist are Burma, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, Sudan and Saudi Arabia. “Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and for men, women, and children trafficked for the purpose of forced labour,” said the report, which was released by the US State Department today. immigrant workers 280205 moving outMalaysia was elevated from the blacklist in 2008 to the 'Tier 2' watch list after plunging into the dreaded ‘Tier 3' two years ago. The country was first blacklisted in 2001 but its ranking improved to ‘Tier 2' in subsequent years until 2007. In that year, it was relegated to ‘Tier 3' but last year, the report said “significant efforts being made to comply with minimum standards of combating human trafficking” which resulted in Malaysia being removed from the blacklist. “Malaysia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, despite some progress in enforcing the country’s new anti-trafficking law,” said the 2009 report. It said that while the government took initial actions under the 2007 anti-trafficking law against sex trafficking, it has yet to fully address issues of human trafficking. Refugees ‘sold’ by immigration officials The report referred to another report by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee two months ago which found the involvement of Immigration Department officials in trafficking Burmese refugees. According to the report, Malaysian immigration officials sold refugees for approximately US$200 (RM700) per person to traffickers operating along Thailand’s southern border. rohingya registration refugees“In turn, the traffickers demanded ransom – ranging from US$300 (RM1,000) for children to US$575 (RM2,000) for adults – in exchange for their freedom. "Informed sources estimated 20 percent of the victims were unable to pay the ransom, and were sold for the purpose of labour and commercial sexual exploitation.” It said that so far little action has been taken since the released of the Senate foreign relations committee report in April. “The Malaysian police is investigating the allegations with the cooperation of the Immigration Department, as publicly confirmed by the prime minister but no officials were arrested, prosecuted, or convicted for involvement in trafficking during the reporting period,” it lamented. Migrant workers victimised The report is also scathing in describing the country’s treatment of migrant labourers. “Some migrant workers are victimised by their employers, employment agents, or traffickers who supply migrant labourers and victims of sex trafficking. “Some victims suffer conditions including physical and sexual abuse, forced drug use, debt bondage, non-payment of wages, threats, confinement, and withholding of travel documents to restrict their freedom of movement.” captured detained illegal immigrants 030707The report pointed out that the government continue to condone the confiscation of passports by employers, while employers passed the government’s ‘immigration levy’ on to the low-skilled migrant workers, which facilitated debt bondage. It also said that women from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, Mongolia, and China are forced into prostitution after being lured to Malaysia with promises of legitimate employment. The report concluded that the government had made only “limited efforts” to prevent trafficking in persons over the last year. “As a regional economic leader approaching developed nation status, Malaysia has the resources and government infrastructure to do more in addressing trafficking in persons,” said the report. Could face sanctions Countries on the blacklist could face sanctions, including the withholding by US of non-humanitarian, non-trade related foreign aid. They would also be subject to withholding of funding for government officials to participate in educational and cultural exchange programmes.
4 MAY 2009 WORK IN MALAYSIA - NO THANK YOU SAY FOREIGN WORKERS! Even the Indonesians do not want to come now, at least, the skillful and reputed ones! We need to get our act together. I have said this before and I say it again, for the million time that we cannot have 'zig zag policies' based on political adeventurers and predators world vision! Policies written or tailor made for certain vested interests! The result - the 'major fiasco' that was seen in the re-opening of the Bangladesh sector - many became millionaires fast tracked, one a multi millionaire and 're-retired from service' after being booted out of placement in another appointment, now hoping to become a 'menteri' through the backdoor! In Malaysia - anything is possible! But the reality is - there is a real need for foreign workers! But, we must have them organized in each and every tier and not allow third parties, especially 'several politically linked rascals' who run outsourcing companies to dicate national policies! As a result where are we today? In the 'international eyes and write-ups'- we are 'royally screwed' and spitted out! We are on the various radars of international enforcement agencies, and having a 'Al-Qaida sleeper agent' working in a Malaysian company for several years does not help either, it says alot about our tracking methods but that's another issues all together! But generally, we are really looking bad the manner we treat these people who have come to help us! We freeze when we feel like, we re-open when we feel like, we raise levies as we like, we review when we like - it makes no economic and rational sense whatsoever! 'Plain kerja bodoh!' It is plainly a circus! So the reality today - foreigners are saying: 'Work in Malaysia, no thank you - I am going to Gulf states! There - no problem yaar, with levies, with agents, with RELA, policemen, with immigration, no problem at all - only problem weather hot but never mind,(shaking his head)we can bear hot!' FHM I think FHM said it quite well! But will it bring about a change - Nay!
NOV 14/2008 WE SUPPORT MTUCs URGING THAT FOREIGN WORKERS RECRUITMENT NOT BE PRIVATISED AS IT WILL BE A MOTHER OF ALL EXPLOITATIONS! THE MTUC has urged the Government not to privatise the recruitment of foreign workers! MTUCs Congress secretary-general G. Rajasekaran has stated rightly that the current recruitment by private employment agents had left many foreign workers cheated and had tarnished the image of the country. He proposed that the Government deal directly with the foreign governments in handling the recruitment of foreign workers. He said currently there were about 200 private employment agents in the country and some were charging exorbitant fees. Also, the services provided by most of them were unsatisfactory. He said many of the foreign workers had been promised handsome wages with the necessary benefits by the private employment agents but once these workers were brought into the country, they would face difficulties in finding decent jobs and the employment agents would disappear. He said the Government would have to bear the responsibility of tackling the problems of the foreign workers who have been stranded due to the irresponsible employment agents. OUR NOTE: Actually there ae more than 250 outsourcing companies and many among them susupect of grave exploitation! The 'Bangladesh file' is a classic case of that exploitation, corruption and all forms of abuse!
A BLESSED DIWALI TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND CONTACTS THE WORLD OVER! WE WISH ALL OF YOU A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS YEAR AHEAD! FROM: MALAYSIAN DATUK DR JACOB GEORGE AND HIS INTERNATIONAL XPRS TEAM!
29 Oct 2008 AFTER EXPLOITING BANGLADESHI MALE WORKERS ARE WE NOW PLANNING THE SAME ON THEIR WOMEN FOLK? Rumors are plenty that certain politicians and 'their proxies' in the outsourcing companies, runners in the system, and agents from both side of the borders are planning to bring in Bangladeshi women as 'production operators' and so forth! I pray that this is not true and it will be plain stupidity to do so as all parties are today milking and exploiting this market - companies, their HR Managers, agents from both sides, outsourcing companies, politicians and local politicos and their many 'agents' in the system. Every tier has their cut and it is not funny that at the end it is the poor worker that gets royally screwed! It is time we review all future employment of foreign workers until we have a comprehensive blueprint that cannot be exploited by any quarter - the companies, their management/HR, agents, politicians, outsourcng companies or the 'various dalangs' in the system! A blue print that must be initiated by the Malaysian Human Resources Ministry and driven by them with experts like us sitting in the select committee to provide 'check and balances' and vital feedbacks to prevent abuse! I hope we will today say - enough of new Bangladesh workers until there is a real need and after we have cleaned up the mess that is presently a reality!
OCTOBER 1ST 2008 WISHING ALL OUR BROTHER & SISTER MUSLIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD - A BLESSED AND PRAYERFUL 'HARI RAYA ADILFITRI - 1429!
SEPTEMBER 12/2008 RELA IN THE NEWS FOR THE WRONG REASONS AGAIN! I am glad that the Malaysian High Court has ordered a Rela member to pay a former guest relations officer RM100,000 as damages for taking a picture of her relieving herself in a truck five years ago. YA Justice Tengku Datuk Maimun Tuan Mat also told Mohamad Tahir Osman, 45, to pay costs and 8% interest until full settlement to Maslinda Ishak, 31, who is now a dental nurse. The learned judge said what Tahir did was outside the scope of his duty which was to maintain security. She said that in taking the picture, Tahir had caused emotional damage to Maslinda. The incident happened after Maslinda and several colleagues were arrested by Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) enforcement officers and Rela members during a raid at Kelab De Vegas in Jalan Imbi here at 11.30pm on March 21, 2003. After the arrest, they were led into a truck. At 12.50am, when the truck was at Jalan Jejaka 5, Taman Maluri, Cheras, Maslinda asked to go to the toilet but was denied permission. Instead, she was scolded and told to relieve herself in the truck. She did what she was told behind a scarf held by several friends but suddenly Tahir came, pushed the friends aside, pulled the scarf and photographed her. Maslinda brought the suit on April 25, 2003. She is seeking RM5mil in damages from Tahir, the Rela director-general, Jawi and the Government. The judge ruled that the Rela director-general, Jawi and the Government could not be associated with Tahir’s actions. My response:'Justice served but the 'others' should not be left off the hook either! In my mind, they created the 'environment' for this despicable and irresponsible act!'
Breaking News! - 5 Sept/2008 The Employment Act and the Workers' Compensation Act will be amended to reduce the dependency on foreign workers. Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the amendments are expected to be tabled in Parliament by December after getting the go-ahead from the Cabinet. With the amendments, employers would be required to notify the ministry of vacancies and justify the need to employ foreign workers about one month prior to submitting the application for foreign workers, he said. He added that outsourcing companies have to register with the ministry the exact number of workers that was needed to ensure there was no glut in the country. There had been cases where outsourcing companies had brought foreigners into the country first without ready jobs and had later placed them with jobs, he said. "Outsourcing companies will be regulated based on this new system," he told reporters here on Thursday after a meeting with Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar at the Home Ministry to discuss matters pertaining to foreign workers in the country. Dr Subramaniam added that housemaids who were earlier exempted from insurance coverage would be included to get protection from their employers as part of the planned amendments. "Maids were earlier given exemption because we thought employers would automatically take care of their welfare but now since it has been found to be otherwise, the exemption clause would be removed," he said. Dr Subramaniam also said that he was discussing with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to give his ministry two years notice prior to the setting up of factories to ensure there was a pool of trained locals to fill vacancies. The ministry, he said, had the database of unemployed and skilled Malaysian workers as well as conducted skills training to meet the local demand and to maximise the availability of local workers. Syed Hamid said both ministries were working hand-in-hand to reduce the number of foreign workers in the country from the current 2.2 million to 1.8 million by the year 2010 as planned under the midterm review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan. My response - Ban all outsourcing companies - Period!
BREAKING NEWS! AUGUST 20/2008 Former Immigration Department director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court in Malaysia to receiving a RM60,000 bribe from a businessman to speed up the approval of visas for 4,337 Bangladeshi workers. Yes - Bangladeshi workers! (Rings a bell and my many millions of claims gone unanswered?) According to the charge - Wahid, 56, is alleged to have received the money from Datuk Low Chang Hian at his house at No. 3167, Jalan Lembah Ledang, off Jalan Duta, at about 10.15 on July 10. If convicted, Wahid Don faces not less than 14 days and not more than 20 years in jail and can be fined up to five times the bribe involved or RM10,000, whichever is higher. Judge S. M. Komathy Suppiah allowed bail at RM50,000 with one surety and fixed five days starting May 18 next year for trial. Wahid was asked to present himself at the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) headquarters before being brought to the Court Complex in Jalan Duta at about 9.30am escorted by ACA officers and his family members. Deputy public prosecutor Kevin Morais asked the court to set bail at RM100,000 with one surety and impound his international passport. He also told the court that the prosecution was calling 25 witnesses. Defence counsel Datuk V. Sithambaram urged the court to release Wahid on a personal bond as his client was a law-abiding high-ranking government officer and would not abscond. Sithambaram said Wahid had cooperated fully with the ACA in its investigation and moreover, would lose everything if he absconded. Wahid, who has been the immigration director-general since Oct 1 2006 has been transferred to the Public Service Department pending the disposal of the case. I hope more of such corruption cases come to light and more so, that several high powered Bangladesh agents and power brokers (some living in Malaysia with Malaysian wives) and local politicians involved in this trade will also be charged! That more members of the public will come forward with information on this despicable behavior!
AUGUST 17 2008 NEWS REPORT FROM MALAYSIAKINI Don’t put your hopes on multinational corporations (MNC) improving factory conditions by applying codes of conduct, said Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general G Rajasekaran. The lesson to be learnt from the recent case of US apparels giant Nike Inc is that our government must be the catalyst of change, and not wait for the MNCs to lead it, said Rajasekaran. Considering the reticence of the Malaysian government, labour laws are not expected to change or improve in the near future, he added. "Nike is not known as an exemplary employer. And the Malaysian government? Thousands of workers have been exploited, cheated, stepped on and abused and the government has not been bothered," Rajasekaran told Malaysiakini in a telephone interview. "It was the environmentalists, the animal rights activists, the human rights groups, the consumer movements, the unionists and other labour activists who put their cases together and forced the creation of such codes. "But ultimately, even such codes will not solve the problems faced by workers in this country until the government changes its attitude towards workers, changes the laws and fixes all the loopholes that allow such problems to continue," said Rajasekaran. Earlier this month, Nike put one of its 37 contract manufacturers in Malaysia on ‘red alert’ after Australia’s Channel 7 reported alleged violations by the factory of Nike’s own Code of Conduct. Defensive minister? Kuala Lumpur-based garments manufacturer Hytex Integrated Bhd apparently ‘garnished’ foreign employee wages, housed them in squalid conditions and withheld passports. Nike is going to - according to reports - end its relationship with Hytex unless the alleged abuses are remedied. Some see this as a big step to the improvement of working conditions - with MNCs requiring local firms to meet their standards through their codes of conduct, disregarding less demanding local labour standards. This is especially important as the Human Resource Ministry rejected the Nike factory abuse claims off-hand, Rajasekaran observed. "If he had first ordered investigations and then came out to reject the reported abuses, at least we could respect his effort to verify. But without doing so, he’s just appeared defensive and reactionary (just like his predecessors)." Other industries like garments, electronics, palm oil and seafarers have their own codes of conduct, said Pathma Krishnan, who runs the Malaysian chapter of the US-based labour rights NGO Verite. Codes address compliance for worker compensation and conditions, environment, anti-corruption and health and safety issue, she explained. They are based on international treaties such as the United Nations’ 'Global Compact', the labour standards of the International Labour Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and other ‘multilateral guidelines’ for the conduct of ethical business and trade. "Verite prepares social compliance audits for clients, determining industry code infringements," said Pathma. "Recommendations are made with specific execution timelines. If factories choose to ignore the recommendations, they risk losing the client. "MNCs would rather pull out than stay with a factory whose poor working conditions would eventually appear in the media. They would prefer to resolve it before the press is involved," she said. Malaysian laws must be changed Despite some successes, Pathma contends that this approach does not guarantee benevolence from MNCs, their contract manufacturers or the government. "In the end, the ball is in the hands of the government," she said. Pathma stressed that Malaysian labour standards and laws lagged behind other countries in legal working hours, housing, the practice of withholding passports, low wages, and deduction of wages by companies. This is compounded by present laws not covering outsourced foreign workers - which leads to more abuse- as opposed to directly-employed foreign workers, she added. Outsourced workers are those under the care of licensed outsourcing companies offering labour to factories. The outsourcing companies receive payments not the workers - and they distribute payments and benefits to the said workers. Because they are technically employees of the outsourcing companies, factories expect them to manage wage payment, discipline, termination and discipline, said Pathma. "Companies take the easy way out. They do not regard them as employees despite them wearing the company uniform and working on their premises. "The laws have to be changed to address this. Companies have to be made to treat all their employees fairly and give them proper benefits," she said. My response: I fully agree with my counterparts citing and views above. I have already stated quite a few times - the worst thing that has happened in relation to worker's rights is the setting up of the 'outsourcing companies'which from Day One was political and without doubt with racist tendencies and without an aiota of doubt - CORRUPT TO THE CORE!
August 9 2008 DOMESTIC HELPERS - MALAYSIAN WOMEN TO THE RESCUE BRILLANT IDEA! I am very pleased to hear from my dear friend Dr Ng Yen Yen that our women will be encouraged to train as domestic helpers in a government programme aimed at reducing the country's dependency on foreign workers! I am certain Dr Ng who is the Women and Community Development Minister knows what she is addressing. I am advised that the proposed course would give instruction in managing the home and caring for children and the elderly, and would be available to Malaysian women aged 18 years and above. Interestingly they will becalled - home managers. I agree that it is a good term and after all we must at all times give the due respect and dignity to those who help us to manage our homes! However - for the project to work it must be priced accordingly to make sense and if it is over priced as is speculated to RM2000/- we might as well call it off as it does not serve the needs of the population! So perhaps, there is much work to do than a political statement - and - with the various unknown scenarios of 2009 - we will all have to watch and see! If there is economic chaos - retrenchments - then this will be acadamic! In the meantime - it is a fact that foreign workers do not prefer Malaysia except for the Bangladeshis - because 'Banglas' are realy economic migrants!
BREAKING SHOCK! - 28 JULY 2008 BANGLADESHIS OFF THE BLACKLIST – GOD SAVE MALAYSIA! If the statement by Bangladeshis foreign affairs adviser, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury is to be accepted it would mean Bangladeshis may not require visas prior to visiting Malaysia in future! He has claimed that Kuala Lumpur has recently dropped Bangladesh from its 'blacklist!' Which according to his interpretation means the citizens of Bangladesh irrespective of their status or profession could get visas on arrival at Malaysian airports. In my analysis, it also means Malaysia is ‘totally screwed’ IF THIS IS INDEED TRUE – and at a time we are already having problems with economic migrants and illegals and the economic downturn is about to take its course on Malaysian employees of all shapes and positions! 2009 is going to be really taxing and another 100,000 foreigners on Malaysian soil means trouble! It means that this will create more problems as do countries in the SAARC, Commonwealth, and African grouping! It also means we are facing a new Bangladeshi influx of over 100,000 or more workers coming into Malaysia which is already stretched to its limits trying to contain illegal and illegal employment thus creating problems for the locals in employment! I hope that the ministries of human resources and home immediately give a tenable explanation for this relaxed ruling in the light and knowledge of previous misdemeanors and misadventures by this target group! All I can say is May GOD SAVE MALAYSIA!
UPDATES: 26 July 2008 QUALIFIED PARA MEDICAL/NURSES & DOCTORS WANTED: Vacancies exist for the following categories of qualified nurses and doctors with a minimum of 5 years experience. Nurses with post-basic training in areas such as HIV counseling, genetic counseling and neuro-radiology intervention and to work in critical areas like the intensive care, coronary care, peri-operative care, neonatal care, pediatric care, emergency and traumatology, oncology, gerontology, renal area, orthopedic care and ophthalmology are strongly encouraged to apply direct with updated CV and Color photograph to: The Chief Executive Officer XPRS HR MANAGEMENT SDN BHD NO 31, JALAN BUDAYAWAN, U2/2, TAMAN TTDI JAYA, SHAH ALAM, 40150, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA. (ONLY SHORT LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE NOTIFIED)
Updates: 26 July 2008 NEEDED BY A FOREIGN WELL ESTABLISHED & PUBLIC LISTED CONSTRUCTION AND OIL & GAS COMPANY 1.Engineers (with specialty in road works/bridges/steel structures) 2.Fabrication Specialist 3.Heavy Vehicle Drivers 4.Designers 5.General Workers 6.3G Welders 7.4G Welders 8.6G Welders 9.6GR Welders 10.Fitter Pipe Experts 11.Structural Fitter 12.Insulator 13.Electricians. 14.Skilled & Semi Skilled Workers (all categories) 15.Workers – experienced in Oil & Gas Operations (all categories) 16.Administrators, Secretaries & Managers (Females encouraged: must be fluent in English and at least one foreign language. Knowledge of communicational Arabic an advantage) You are requested to send your updated CV with a colored photograph to: The Chief Executive Officer XPRS HR MANAGEMENT SDN BHD 31, JALAN BUDAYAWAN, U2/2, TAMAN TTDI JAYA, SHAH ALAM,40150, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA (ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE NOTIFIED)
Breaking News: 22 July 2008 The following vacancies are available in several well known/established foreign hotels in Europe! If you possess the required qualifications and terms of reference please send your details/latest colored photograph(nr)to XPRS at the following address: The Chief Executive Officer, XPRS HR MANAGEMENT SDN BHD. No. 31, Jalan Budayawan U2/2, Taman TTDI Jaya, Shah Alam, 40150 Selangor, MALAYSIA. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED! 1. Bartender 2. Commis 3. Steward 4. Host / Hostess 5. Continental/Intercontinental dishes Cook & Chef 6. Chef De parties 7. Executive Sous Chef / Chef De Cuisine 8. Sous Chef 9. Banquet Sales Executive / Manager 10.Restaurant Manager 11. F & B Manager 12. GM/Director Operations,Legal 13. Housekeeping Executive / Assistant 14. Cashier 15. Front Office / Guest Relations Executive / Manager 16. Travel Desk Manager 17. Loddy / Duty Manager 18. Executive / Master Chef 19. Head / VP / GM-F&B 20. Head / VP / GM / National Manager -Sales 21. Head / VP / PR / Corp Communication 22. Head / VP / GM-Accounts 23. Health Clud Assistant / Manager 24. Auditors 25. Cashier 26. Butler 27. IT/Telecom - Software/Operator/Engineers/Manager 28. Accountants 29. Health Workers 30. Mechanical/Electrical/ Electronics Operators/Engineers/Manager 31. Maintenance/Utility Engineers and Managers 32. Customer Care 33. Foreign/International Language Translators and Teachers And many more career opportunities... ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY XPRS!
NEWSFLASH! If you are a qualified, responsible, accountable and honest HR or Manpower agent IN EITHER Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar,Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, UAE, South Africa, USA, Kuwait, Libya, West Asia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, please contact us direct. Our contact numbers are as follows: 012-3664444/014-6297474 and 016-2917001.
TO ALL MALAYSIAN AND INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYERS! IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF - DOCTORS, NURSES, PARA MEDICAL STAFF, LECTURERS, DEDICATED, WELL TRAINED AND COMPETENT NEPALI SECURITY GUARDS, SKILLED AND UNSKILLED OR GENERAL WORKERS - CONTACT DATUK DR JACOB GEORGE DIRECT NO ONE ELSE! LET US PROVIDE YOU ADVICE, OUR COMPETENT, WELL MANAGED AND PROFESSIONAL DRIVEN HR SOLUTIONS! CONTACT OUR TWO 24 HR MOBILE LINES AT: 016-2917001 0R 014-6297474! XPRS - THE SOLUTION PROVIDERS! XPRS - THE SOLUTION PROVIDERS!
