Strike fear hits employers of foreign workers
Posted on 13 February 2013 - 10:41pm
Last updated on 14 February 2013 - 09:22am
Last updated on 14 February 2013 - 09:22am
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 13, 2013):
Industry bosses are worried the strike by foreign workers at a furniture
factory in Johor just before the festival shutdown may ignite similar
action among foreigners and the local workforce.
A report in Oriental Daily News today said many employers believed
the lack of a "black and white" from the government to specify the
foreign workers levy should be fully borne by them was the reason why
negotiations with these workers had failed.
Some 500 foreign workers of Digital Furniture Sdn Bhd in Muar downed
tools a day before the Chinese New Year break when the management did
not agree to demands to implement the RM900 minimum wage order
immediately and agree to pay their levies.
It is learnt that a wave of strikes is waiting to hit industries containing a high percentage of foreign workers.
Small-Medium Industries (SMI) Association of Malaysia national
president Teh Kee Sin said foreign workers planning to strike were
sending text messages to their countrymen.
"The Muar incident has prompted workers from Nepal, Myanmar,
Bangladesh, Vietnam and others to join hands in making demands," he
said.
Teh warned Oriental Daily, of possible chaos next week when factories
resume operations as any strike action will affect production.
He said employers are confused because while MCA deputy president
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the minimum wage can include some
allowances, labour law does not allow it. Unclear answers from the Human
Resources Ministry is making matters worse.
"We need proof to negotiate with foreign workers. Now, we only know
from media reports that the cabinet has decided the levy should be borne
by the workers themselves.
SMI Association of Malaysia deputy president Michael Kang said employers also worry local workers may down tools.
He said many locals are not happy that the new policy meant a pay
rise of about RM50 for them compared with the RM300-400 for foreign
workers. They are also not happy that foreign workers, also enjoy
housing and transport allowances and they want similar allowances.
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Shamsuddin
Bardan felt the government should get tough and repatriate foreign
workers who strike.
He said according to their employment agreement, foreign workers lose
a day's pay for every day of their strike, and should the strike
continue for more than two days or cause disturbances, they can be sent
home immediately.- The Sundaily, 13/2/2013, Strike fear hits employers of foreign workers
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