KL asks each govt to control their labor
<p>KL asks each govt to control their labor</p><p>V.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network,</p><p> The participation of governments whose citizens are keen to
work in Malaysia is a logical step to take in the effort to
control and streamline the number of foreign workers in the
country. So far, the recruitment of such workers has always been
left entirely to the private sector and this has led to numerous
problems, the main one being repatriation.</p><p>However, with the situation becoming more serious, Kuala
Lumpur has decided to enlist the assistance of other governments
in this exercise. It is now up to the foreign states involved to
come forward if they are really keen to get their nationals to
work in this country.</p><p>While the foreign workers may be employed in the private
sector, the government or its enforcement and regulatory agencies
will have to be involved when problems relating to security,
immigration and even health, arise. The government has been
having a rough time when it comes to repatriating workers who
have breached local laws but who do not possess proper legal
documents. This has made it quite difficult to identify them and
some embassies have even denied that some of these illegal
immigrants are their citizens, leaving it to the Malaysian
authorities to resolve it.</p><p>Once these foreign governments are involved, they could no
longer claim in future that they have nothing to do with the
recruitment and so unable to offer any help in their
repatriation. They will now be committed and no longer plead
ignorance as an excuse.</p><p>This new routine may be the best formula to handle this
thorny, time-consuming and expensive issue regarding such
foreigners. Malaysia needs all the help it can get and hopefully,
the foreign governments involved will not be found wanting.</p><p>This is actually a good chance for the foreign governments to
play a more active role in seeking employment for their citizens
as many are facing serious economic and financial trouble.</p><p>Malaysia's latest policy on foreign workers will enable
governments interested to make some headway in placing some of
their excess labor in this country. Previously, it was not easy
to do so due to the preference given to the Indonesians.</p><p>The advantages of government-to-government agreement are
mainly on the protection of such migrant workers. Their welfare
and interest will be better looked after and their embassy staff
will have to be more active in their affairs.</p><p>These governments too will have to ensure that the labor they
supply have the relevant documents, that their health are good
and that they will behave and not start any trouble when abroad.</p><p>In fact, the number of workers from each country should also
to a certain degree depend on the level of cooperation of their
respective governments. If foreign officials are genuine in
resolving the problems created by their citizens, then more of
them should be given employment passes.</p>
work in Malaysia is a logical step to take in the effort to
control and streamline the number of foreign workers in the
country. So far, the recruitment of such workers has always been
left entirely to the private sector and this has led to numerous
problems, the main one being repatriation.</p><p>However, with the situation becoming more serious, Kuala
Lumpur has decided to enlist the assistance of other governments
in this exercise. It is now up to the foreign states involved to
come forward if they are really keen to get their nationals to
work in this country.</p><p>While the foreign workers may be employed in the private
sector, the government or its enforcement and regulatory agencies
will have to be involved when problems relating to security,
immigration and even health, arise. The government has been
having a rough time when it comes to repatriating workers who
have breached local laws but who do not possess proper legal
documents. This has made it quite difficult to identify them and
some embassies have even denied that some of these illegal
immigrants are their citizens, leaving it to the Malaysian
authorities to resolve it.</p><p>Once these foreign governments are involved, they could no
longer claim in future that they have nothing to do with the
recruitment and so unable to offer any help in their
repatriation. They will now be committed and no longer plead
ignorance as an excuse.</p><p>This new routine may be the best formula to handle this
thorny, time-consuming and expensive issue regarding such
foreigners. Malaysia needs all the help it can get and hopefully,
the foreign governments involved will not be found wanting.</p><p>This is actually a good chance for the foreign governments to
play a more active role in seeking employment for their citizens
as many are facing serious economic and financial trouble.</p><p>Malaysia's latest policy on foreign workers will enable
governments interested to make some headway in placing some of
their excess labor in this country. Previously, it was not easy
to do so due to the preference given to the Indonesians.</p><p>The advantages of government-to-government agreement are
mainly on the protection of such migrant workers. Their welfare
and interest will be better looked after and their embassy staff
will have to be more active in their affairs.</p><p>These governments too will have to ensure that the labor they
supply have the relevant documents, that their health are good
and that they will behave and not start any trouble when abroad.</p><p>In fact, the number of workers from each country should also
to a certain degree depend on the level of cooperation of their
respective governments. If foreign officials are genuine in
resolving the problems created by their citizens, then more of
them should be given employment passes.</p>