Migrant Workers To recruit Migrant workers in Genting

Migrant Workers To recruit Migrant workers in Genting Malaysia Bhd Workers Union Alfred Iruthiarajoo Malaysia

Background of Migrant Workers in Malaysia n n Approximately 2 million workers are Migrant workers in Malaysia. 1. 2 million migrant workers are documented and 800, 000 are not documented. The migrant workers from different countries mostly from Indonesia, Myan Mar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal , Philippines, China and many other various countries. Many occasion we found that this workers are exploited and their welfare not taken care off by the employers.

Con’t n n n The Human Resources Ministry has many times inform the employers not to do such an act but it fell on deaf years. The labour agency in Malaysia, which has approved by the Government has increase tremendously within 5 – 6 years approximately 215 agency. The Malaysian Government are indirectly allowing such a thing to take place so that they can indirectly weaken the trade union movement. In the contract of the migrant workers, it is written that they could not join any Association or seat as an officer in any association. BUT in the Employment Act (Labour Law) does not say that migrant workers could not be a part of the Union but the agency has planted a fear to them that if they join the Trade Union , their contract will be terminated with immediate effect.

Cont’ n n There are cases that the migrant workers were short change and doing precarious work. The agency who are responsible for the migrant workers does not attend to their needs. In the year 2007, Genting Malaysia Bhd Workers Union has initiated an International Union Cards with the help of two Global Unions that is IUF and UNI. This is to recruit migrant workers and also the union members who can also use this card with the counterpart where IUF and UNI has a local union in other country which will recognize them and accept them as a members.

Migrant Workers in Genting Highlands, Malaysia n n n n Migrant workers who are (i) Indonesian workers – 300 (ii) Nepal workers – 250 (iii) Bangladesh – 100 (iv) China – 400 (v) Philippines – 300 (vi) others - 100

Target Group Migrant workers approximately 300 workers

Objectives n n n This would give them confident that the trade union is taking care of their job and welfare The workers would be organized and the workers would be able to work with proper working condition and their welfare would be taken care off. The trade union will have better say on their welfare with the management and the agencies

Activity n n n Recruitment will be done by Union Officers and Key members from the migrant workers to do translation of language during the recruitment. In their premises ( hostel) and Union office Flyers and Poster will be distributed ( 2 years project) Regular meeting with the agencies and management

Thank you