In the last few days, Malaysians have been treated to conflicting news about the country’s policy on foreign workers. Today, an opposition lawmaker asks if Putrajaya has any plans to impose the minimum wage to attract locals to dirty and dangerous jobs. – AFP file pic, February 21, 2016.
How can Putrajaya announce a policy reversal over the intake of 1.5 million workers from Bangladesh after signing a memorandum of understanding with the country, PKR asks today.
Party vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said the abrupt decision only raised further questions about the government’s policymaking process.
“Can they list all the companies and industries which asked for these workers?
She also questioned if Putrajaya has a plan in place to improve standards in jobs considered dirty, dangerous or difficult (3D) by ensuring better wages and protection of rights for workers.
Nurul also asked when the government planned to implement the RM1,500 minimum wage.
“I can assure that Malaysian workers will head to jobs in factories, the construction sector and other services if the minimum wage is set at RM1,500 per month.”
She also asked if Putrajaya has taken into account local workers doing 3D jobs outside the country, especially in Singapore.
“The home minister and his deputy need to answer these questions before pointing their finger at youth, and challenging them to take up 3D jobs.
“It is Malaysia’s basic duty to ensure jobs with reasonable salaries for their people to ensure a better future for the country.”
Last week, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi issued a challenge to youth to take up jobs in sectors currently dominated by foreign workers, as debate raged on over the need to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers over the next three years.
He had also asked youth at the function on February 14 if they wanted to work in sectors, such as plantation and heavy industries, to which he received a resounding “yes”.
- TMI
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