Have no mercy on predatory recruitment agencies, employers

If the Malaysian government’s approval process for hiring foreign workers is transparent, not a single worker should be unemployed.

— Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia

In recent years, the country has witnessed a surge in the exploitation of foreign workers — especially workers from South Asian nations as well as Myanmar — by unscrupulous recruitment agencies.

Hundreds or even thousands of workers from Bangladesh and Nepal arrived in the past after paying up to RM20,000 to middlemen to get jobs. Many took loans to pay recruitment fees, but are unable to start repaying them without jobs or salaries. On their arrival, their passports are taken away by recruitment agents.

The pathetic saga of stranded foreign workers, left jobless and abandoned upon arrival, has compelled authorities to ponder stringent actions against these rogue agencies and employers.

I strongly back Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani’s suggestion that these entities and employers be penalised and fined up to RM30,000 per worker; I believe most Malaysians, Sarawakians included, will support this commendable step towards rectifying the rampant injustice against foreign workers.

The problem transcends mere statistics; it strikes at the heart of Malaysia’s ethical and economic landscape. The labour shortage, especially in sectors like plantation, construction and hospitality, exacerbates the predicament.

The proposal to hold accountable those responsible for luring foreign workers under false promises — only to abandon them later — underscores the government’s commitment to stop this disgraceful and shameful practice.

The following is part of an unedited message forwarded to me by a friend who runs an Indian eatery in Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya:

Quote: I’m shameful to be identified as a M’sian. Was asking a Bangla contact in Dhaka to help search for a chef and 3 general workers for my 2 restaurants but the contact instead send me this message from a fella restaurant worker who worked in Seremban many years ago : ‘no need to dream asking worker from Bangladesh to work in Malaysia. they will never want to come as they mistreated badly by your people!!! Malaysia people bloodsuckers, pay very little, sometime no pay salary and no give enough sleep. my people who work in your country before says they never want to go back! they say worse than kunta kintay! work like slaves!!!’ Unquote

The above message is an abridged version of the message sent to me. By the way, I believe the Bangladeshi recruitment agent was referring to Kunta Kinte, the fictional character in the 1976 novel Roots, the saga of an American family by author Alex Haley whose ancestor — an African born in the eighteenth century — was enslaved and taken to America where he died in the early ninetieth century.

Back to the point, the recent incident where 171 foreign workers from Bangladesh marched to the police station in Johor to report their plight serves as a harrowing testament to this crisis. The failure to provide jobs, adequate accommodation and even basic salary to these foreigners not only violates their rights but also besmirches the country’s reputation.

Johari’s proposal is a multi-pronged approach addressing the gravity of the issue; it doesn’t merely aim to impose fines but also intends to revoke licences and blacklist rouge firms and employers from hiring foreign workers. Such stringent measures are necessary to deter these agencies from further exploiting foreign labour.

However, it is not just a matter of punitive measures; it is about recalibrating the entire system. Worker exploitation and shortage is not confined to Malaya only. Sarawak, a vital economic contributor to the nation, grapples with similar worker shortage — though serious worker exploitation is unheard of or perhaps has gone unreported — risking the recovery of its economy post-Covid.

The implications span beyond a particular sector; it jeopardises the overall economic growth of the nation.

Meanwhile, in the rubber plantation sector in Malaya alone, the shortage of an estimated 80,000 workers hampers the utilisation of over 420,000 hectares of untapped land, resulting in an immense loss to the GDP.

The economic ramifications are glaring. According to Johari, Malaysia incurred a staggering RM2.3 billion loss in GDP due to untapped rubber plantations, a loss that could have been averted with adequate manpower. The dwindling production of rubber products over the past decade underscores the urgency of addressing this acute labour shortage.

Nevertheless, while rectifying the manpower scarcity is important, so is safeguarding the rights and welfare of the workers, both local and foreign. Better accommodations and facilities for workers are important not only for ethical reasons but also to ensure the marketability and reputation of Malaysian exports.

Compliance with ethical labour standards can boost consumer confidence in the country’s products, thereby enhancing market competitiveness.

In addressing this multifaceted issue, the government needs a comprehensive strategy. It involves stringent penalties for rogue agencies, proactive measures to mitigate labour shortages and a concerted effort to enhance worker welfare. Various ministries, law enforcement and industry stakeholders must work closely to actualise these proposed measures effectively.

Furthermore, while implementing penalties is crucial, pre-emptive actions are equally vital. Stringent vetting and monitoring mechanisms for recruitment agencies, coupled with transparency in their operations, can act as pre-emptive safeguards. Equally important is facilitating pathways for legal recourse and support for affected workers.

In conclusion, the proposal to penalise recruitment agencies leaving foreign workers stranded is a laudable step. However, it is the first stride in a marathon towards ethical labour practices and economic stability.

Concerted efforts, encompassing legislative action, proactive measures and a commitment to worker welfare, are important to rid our nation of this scourge and pave the way for an equitable and prosperous future.

I urge the authorities to come down hard on rouge companies —especially the directors, who might be prominent entrepreneurs or even politicians — and show them no mercy. Fine them heavily and perhaps put them behind bars.

The Plantation and Commodities Minister should be lauded for his action.

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.