Conduct periodic inspections to deter local workers' layoffs - MTUC

The Malaysian Trades Union Congre (MTUC) has suggested the government conduct periodic inspections in factories to ensure employers are not discriminating against local workers.

This follows a report that certain employers have initiated layoffs of local workers to replace them with migrant labourers hired under relaxed conditions for quota approvals.

MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said such inspections are crucial to ensure employers abide by the stipulated labour laws.

"MTUC condemns companies which lay off locals to replace them with migrant labour. Such companies take advantage of the relaxed conditions given by the government to help the industry.

"Reports of such a layoff involving locals in Penang prove that MTUC's fear about the local labour force being at risk, may become a reality," he said in a statement today.

Kamarul was responding to the warning issued by Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar yesterday that companies or employers found to lay off local workers and replace them with migrants can be fined up to RM50,000 for each offence.

In addition, the companies also face the risk of having their approved quotas for hiring migrant workers cancelled.

One such recent case involved a company in Penang which laid off 102 workers after receiving approval to hire more migrant workers.

'What if employers justify layoffs?'

Elaborating, Kamarul questioned how the government would ensure that locals would not fall victim to such schemes in the future.

"What are the considerations made if the employer says that hiring and firing workers is their right?

"(What if the employers) justify that the layoff is due to insubordination, poor work performance, and other reasons?" he asked.

MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor

Kamarul said that MTUC has received complaints about migrant workers getting away with lighter "punishments" when locals who have committed similar offences have been dealt with more severely.

"MTUC does not want the relaxed conditions to hire migrant workers to expose the country to forced labour and child labour. The exploitation of migrant workers will also increase due to their overwhelming numbers in the country.

"The government's warning about the RM50,000 fine will not scare the employers, as they (employers) are already not abiding with the minimum wage ruling, and other laws like standard housing for workers," Kamarul noted.

This, he stressed, is why it is important for the government to conduct periodic inspections to ensure that employers adhere to the laws set. - Mkini