Japanese electronics company Asahi Kosei is challenged for not respecting worker rights

Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn. Bhd must respect Human Rights and Worker Rights
Reinstate Thiha Soe and Aung San Without Loss of Benefits
We, the undersigned 81 organizations, groups and networks are shocked at how Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn Bhd has unjustly treated its workers, in particular the 31 Burmese Migrant Workers, working at the factory at Lot 3377, Jalan Perusahaan Utama, Taman Industri Selesa Jaya, 43300 Balakong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
On or about 31/1/2011, 31 Burmese migrant workers complained about non-compliance by the employer with their agreement. The workers alleged that the employer was paying them far less than what was promised. They also expressed disappointment in the wrongful deductions from their wages, which included deduction for hostel charges when the agreement was that the employer shall provide free accommodation. They also raised their disagreement with the deduction of RM50-00 for every day that a worker does not come to work, when the daily rate of pay is only RM20. They also wanted paid medical leave, which really is already a legal right in Malaysia.
In response, the workers informed us that on 7/2/2011 a gang of persons came and threatened them at their hostel. The police allegedly came with these persons. Before they left, these persons took all cooking utensils and materials, television, cooking gas, refrigerator, table fan and rice cooker) used by the workers. They switched off the electric main switch, and left the workers in the dark with no electricity. These persons reasonably can be assumed to be workers/agents of the employer.



Two workers, without their consent, were allegedly taken to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) with the impression that the employer will be sending them back to Burma (Myanmar). Fortunately, the said 2 workers managed to escape and run away.



On 8/2/2011, the workers lodged a complaint with the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) and also were preparing the formal paperwork required to lodge a complaint with the Labour Department.



On 9/2/2011, the employer had a meeting with the said 31 workers, whereby they proposed:-

a) an increase the salary to RM23 per day (whereby previously it was RM20),

b) that there will be no more allowances (previously RM2/day was paid as shift allowance and RM30 as monthly allowance)

c) that if worker is absent for 2 days in one month, they will deduct RM-50 (previously for ever day absent, the employer deducted RM50)

d) Hostel Charges shall be reduced to RM30 per month (previously it was RM50 per month)



The employer then gave the workers an ultimatum that they sign the new contract now, or be terminated and sent back to Burma immediately. The workers were not given any opportunity or time to consider the proposal, or to discuss the matter further.



Finally, all workers save 2, cowed under pressure and signed the new contract. The 2 workers who did not sign are Thiha Soe (PP No: A 458011) and Aung San (PP No: A432863), whereby Aung San was the worker who signed the complaint for and on behalf of all the workers when the complaint was lodged at the Human Rights Commission on 8/2/2011.



Thiha Soe and Aung San were then handed over by the employer to the recruitment agent, possibly to send them back to Burma. Both workers have been separated and taken to different undisclosed location. Both workers do not want to be sent back to Burma, and want to continue working at Asahi Kosei(M) Sdn Bhd factory in Balakong.



Asahi Kosei(M) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Asahi Kosei Japan Co. Ltd., which makes Die-Cast Aluminium Parts for HDD(Computer Parts), VTR, And Automotive parts for, amongst others, Hitachi Ltd Automotive Systems, Hitachi Seisakusho, Denso(Toyota), Kawasaki Heavy Industry, Hitachi(Thai), Modenas , Seiko Instrument, Hitachi Global Storage, Matsushita Kotobuki, Matsushita Electronics, Toshiba, Maxtor, Seiko Epson, Kanematsu Device, Sony, Hitachi, Matsushita, JVC, Mitsubishi Electric, Philips, Sharp, Sanyo, Toshiba, Thomson, Yaskawa and Hitachi Mexico. It is sad that some companies with declared code of conducts and standards are seen to be associated with companies that violate worker and human rights.



We the undersigned 81 organizations, groups and networks
a) Call for Asahi Kosei(M) Sdn Bhd to immediately reinstate Thiha Soe and Aung San without any loss of benefits, and if they have already been sent back to Burma to cause that they be brought back to Malaysia to work;
b) Call for Asahi Kosei(M) Sdn Bhd to apologize to its workers for the wrongs it did, and to pay fair compensation/damages for their actions/omissions that violated rights of their workers;
c) Call for Malaysian government and/or the relevant Ministries/Department to take necessary action against Asahi Kosei(M) Sdn Bhd and the said recruiting agent concerned to ensure that justice is done for the workers;
d) Call on the Malaysian government to legislate and make actions of preventing workers access to justice an offence with a substantial penalty, that will deter employers resorting to termination and/or deportation as a threat and/or means to avoid legitimate claims by their workers;
e) Call on Local Councils and State authorities, who do issue permits and allow factories to operate within their jurisdiction, to ensure that such factories do not violate human rights and worker rights. Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn Bhd operates in the state of Selangor;
e) Call on the Malaysian government to ensure that no migrant worker is sent back to their country of origin before first verifying that all outstanding and/or potential claims and disputes between worker and employer (and/or agent or other relevant party) in Malaysia have been fully and finally settled.
f) Call on Hitachi, Sony, Philips and other companies who do have a Code of Conduct and/or who proclaim that they hold human rights and worker rights as important, who have been listed as customers of Asahi Kosei (M) Sdn Bhd and/or Asahi Kosei Japan Co. Ltd to seriously re-evaluate their relationship with such companies that clearly do not respect human rights and worker rights.
g) Call on consumers and/or investors to take into consideration human rights, including worker rights of companies and their supply chain when they do invest and/or purchase their consumer products.
Charles Hector

Pranom Somwong

Ko Tun Tun



For and on behalf of the following 81 organizations

Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society - Hong Kong (ATIS-HK)
Abra Migrant Workers Welfare Association (AMWWA)
ALIRAN, Malaysia
All Burma Students League
APFS Labor Union, Japan
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM), Hong Kong
Association of Concerned Filipinos in Hong Kong (ACFIL-HK)
Association of Indonesian Migrant Workers, Hong Kong
Asia Pacific Students and Youth Association (ASA)
BAYAN Hong Kong
BAYAN USA
Campagne Vêtements Propres, Belgium
Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns, Canada
Cordillera Alliance in Hong Kong (CORALL-HK)
Building and Wood Workers International (BWI)
Burma Campaign Malaysia
Burma Partnership
Centre Communautaire des Femmes Sud-Asiatique, Montréal, Canada
Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns, Canada
Cuyapo Association Hong Kong
Democratic Party for New Society (DPNS), Burma
Empower, Thailand
FICAP-Aichi
Filipino Friends in Hong Kong
Filipino Migrants Association (FMA)
Filipino Migrant Center (FMC) in USA
Filipino Migrant Workers' Union - Hong Kong (FMWU)
Filipino Women Migrant Workers Association (FILWOM)
Filipino Women's Organization in Quebec, Canada
Free Burma Coalition, Philippines
Friends of Bethune House (FBH), Hong Kong
GABRIELA Hong Kong
GABRIELA-Japan
GABRIELA-Nagoya
Globalization Monitor (GM), Hong Kong
GoodElectronics Network
Health Equity Initiatives, Malaysia
HMISC (Hsinchu Catholic Diocee Migrants and Immigrants Service Center), Taiwan
IMA Research Foundation, Bangladesh
International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF)
Johor Texitle And Garments Workers Union
KAFIN-Nagoya
KAFTI (Japan)
Kilusang Mayo Uno, Philippines
Legal Support for Children and Women (LSCW), Cambodia
LIKHA Filipino Migrant Cultural Organization
MADPET - Malaysians against Death Penalty and Torture
May 1st Coalition, USA
Migrante B.C. (Canada)
Migrant Care, Indonesia
MIGRANTE Europe, Netherlands
Migrante International
MIGRANTE-Japan
Migrante - Middle East
MIGRANTE-Nagoya
MIGRANTE Sectoral Party - Hong Kong
Mission Volunteers (MOVERS)
National Human Rights Society (HAKAM), Malaysia
National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industries Workers(NUTEAIW)
Network of Action for Migrants in Malaysia (NAMM)
Pangasinan Organization for Welfare, Empowerment and Rights (POWER)
Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)
PHASE TWO (People for Health and Safety in Electronics), Scotland
Philippine Society in Japan
Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili (PSU)
Project Maje ,Portland, Oregon USA
Pusat Komas
Quê Me: Action for Democracy in Vietnam, France
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), Malaysia
Thai Committee for Refugees (TCR)
Think Centre, Singapore
Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), Singapore
United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK)
United Indonesians Against Overcharging, Hong Kong
Vietnam Committee on Human Rights, France
WARBE Development Foundation, Bangladesh
Workers Assistance Center, Philippines
Workers Hub For Change (WH4C)
World Forum for Democratization in Asia
Yaung Chi Oo Workers Association (YCOWA), Thailand
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‘Migrant rights? No’

Malaysia is home to around 500,000 Burmese migrants, less than half of whom have been registered and thus hold a semblance of legal status in the country. Employers of migrant workers are often accused of exploiting their fragile existence in the country for their own gain, paying meagre wages and meting out abuse in the workplace. Tun Tun heads the Burma Campaign Malaysia (BCM), which campaigns for migrant workers’ rights.

How and why did you come to Malaysia?

I have been here for 17 years. I came because I was a student at Mandalay University and was involved in politics, and got in trouble so fled and became a migrant worker myself.

Following the case of 35 migrant workers who were arrested for asking for their contracts to be upheld, why did the police just end up targeting the five leaders?

In my experience in all the cases they always target the leaders. They think if they find and target the leaders the case will be settled, to scare the other workers.

What’s the relationship between the employers and the police?

That is a major concern here. All workers cannot speak out to the police. The police don’t understand the workers explanations. That’s the first problem. The second problem is that most of the law enforcement agencies here, whenever the local Malaysian people complain to them, they always take action against the foreigners – that is a problem. This was a labour dispute – it should have been dealt with in a labour court – but they never use this channel. They just use the police; they just arrive and arrest them and transfer them to immigration who deport them. It’s very easy for the employer and safe for the employer, so a lot of them use this channel.

How often do employers take workers documents?

According to Malaysian law, employers can’t keep workers’ documents, but the immigration department or police never take action against the employers. They all know that they keep the workers’ documents but do nothing. The Sinometal Technology Company took all their documents.

How do you advise migrant workers in Malaysia?

Wherever you go to work you can’t get good wages and you are not safe if you don’t keep your documents. Because you are not skilled, the employers will pay you around 700 to 800 [Malaysia Ringgit – $US230-260], so please don’t run away – if you don’t follow the contract we can’t help you.

How many illegal Burmese migrant workers do you think there are in Malaysia?

I think there are about 200,000 illegal Burmese migrant workers in Malaysia. The majority are men, very few women. They do various kinds of work – in restaurants, engineering, production, and so on.

Why do you advise them to keep hold of their documents?

The first thing is the levy. The Malaysian government charges employers a levy for employing foreign workers. Employers regularly deduct this fee from their workers’ salaries. However as of 1 April 2009 the Malaysian government announced that the employer cannot deduct the levy charge from the workers, but 90 percent of employers don’t follow this government order – they just deduct it. I had a case on 11 January where I complained about levy deduction from a workers’ leader named Hla Min, a Burmese migrant who works for DW Plastics Ltd, who complained for all workers when a total of 48,000 ringgits ($US15,730) was deducted.

Did he get in trouble?

No. They had no other problem apart from the levy. They wanted the employer to refund their money, so I went to the labour department and reported for them. In a month the employer will refund their money.

What happens when a worker is detained for not having the right documents?

Well, in Malaysia, if an Indonesian is detained they can get a travel document for 15 ringgits ($US5) per person and then they have to go back by boat or air. For our Burmese people, they have to pay their embassy 550 ringgits ($US180), or 900 ringgits ($US295). If you pay 500 ringgits you stay a very long time in the camp; if you pay 900 you get a fast process. Now workers are facing more problems because the Burmese government has introduced a new passport, so all the workers have to go the embassy and pay 4,000 ringgits ($US1310) per person, a very high price.

Why does the Malaysian government have these levies?

They want to reduce the number of migrant workers. They are facing a lot of social problems – they think it’s the migrant workers fault but it is not true. The Malaysian government is a pro-employer government; most of the politicians are nationalists, and that is a problem.

How is the experience of Malaysia different for different Burmese ethnic groups?

In Malaysia there are over 40 different ethnic organisations. Most are dedicated to registering refugees – in my experience they don’t concentrate on workers rights. I’m very sad about this.

How would you describe the UN High Commissioner for Refugee’s work for refugees here?

Every organisation is based on its members. Many of the ethnic organisations have good relations with UNHCR, but the UNHCR are also involved in a lot of corruption, particularly with registration of refugees and with resettlement.

How does it work with resettlement?


Three months ago, UNHCR resettled someone to New Zealand. The New Zealand authorities checked her biography and UNHCR had given a different biography, so the New Zealand authorities didn’t let her out of their camp. So it is very clear that it was a substitution for someone who is still here

Why? Did she pay UNHCR?

I think so, because at that time, one of my colleagues was resettled and he met this girl in the resettlement camp and he informed me.

How do migrants contact you?

We publish a newsletter in peninsula Malaysia. In this newsletter we have one article about migrants rights in Malaysia with our hotline number, so when they have a problem they contact us. We send the newsletter to Burmese shops around peninsula Malaysia and the shopkeeper sells it to migrant workers. It has no adverts and it is non-profit.

How difficult is it for migrant workers to access their legal rights?

I was also a migrant worker five years ago. My employer violated the law all the time. I knew he was wrong but I couldn’t point out correctly. So whatever the employer said to us, he was right. So I wanted to know the migrant rights in Malaysia and tell all our migrant workers because if they knew about this then they can demand it [their rights]. So I tried to translate the migrants rights into Burmese and distribute it.

How has it changed things?

It has had a good effect, because we put here that the employer cannot deduct levies, and that they can contact us or the trade union congress whenever. So after the workers read this they know the employers are wrong and they contact us and work out how they can get it refunded.

In Malaysia migrant workers will get injured or have health problems. What is access to healthcare like in Malaysia?

Whenever a Malaysian goes to hospital, they have to pay one ringgit ($US0.30) for registration. For the migrant worker it is 15 ringgit ($US5) for registration. After we pay the 15 ringgit the doctor puts you in a check room and then he tells us what we need [financially], and then we pay a deposit. If they can’t pay, then a there’s a problem. They have to borrow to pay the deposit of, say, 500 ringgits ($US163). This is discrimination against migrants. It is not only in hospitals, it is in all government agencies – for example, if a migrant wants to open a bank account they cannot freely open an account; they need an employer recommendation letter, while for local people no letter is needed.

Are migrant workers dependent upon employers, and why is this system in place?

According to Malaysian immigration law employers are responsible for their migrant workers. For example when a visitor comes they show their passport and can enter Malaysia, but when a migrant worker arrives they are not allowed to leave the airport until their employer arrives to pick them up. Moreover, we receive a lot of complaints about working conditions for migrant workers. They are abused physically and mentally. ဆက္လက္ဖတ္႐ႈရန္...

Malaysia Human Right commission Reply Letter

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Statement of Good Electronics for Burmese Women Migrant

JVC Manufacturing Malaysia, Selangor

Mr. Toshiya Ogata: ogata-toshiya@jvc-victor.jp

Mr. David Gifford: dgifford@jvc-victor.jp

Amsterdam, 8 October 2010.

Dear Mr Toshiya Ogata, Mr. David Gifford,

On behalf of the GoodElectronics Network I am writing to express my concerns over the fate of

Burmese migrant workers working at JVC Manufacturing, Selangor, Malaysia.

In case you are not the right persons to address within JVC about this matter, may I kindly request you

to forward this letter to your designated colleagues. Thank you.

Asian and international labour groups are sounding the alarm over the dreaded deportation of Burmese

workers who are working with JVC Manufacturing Malaysia, in Selangor. The 23 women concerned

are employed by Fast Link Trans agency. Organisations including the Workers Rights Consortium, the

Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) and the Burma Campaign Malaysia (BCM) fear that 16

women may be deported at a very short notice, while the permits of another seven women may be

terminated in the coming 2-3 months.

According to my information, the concerned Burmese workers lodged a complaint at the Malaysian

Labour Department (Subang Jaya office) on 21 July 2010, demanding the return of monies wrongly

deducted from their wages, the payment of overdue wages, and the return of their passports which

were held by their employer.

Labour groups argue that the early termination and/or non-renewal by JVC of the one-year contracts

of the women concerned can reasonably be seen as a retaliation of the company against workers who

are claiming their legal rights. The case of the Burmese women workers at the Labour Department is

currently pending. Termination of their contracts and repatriation to Burma will prevent them from

pursing their legal claims. JVC and Fast Link Trans are urged to respect due legal process.

The situation of the Burmese women workers at JVC Malaysia does not stand alone. Reportedly, JVC

employs approximately 800 migrant workers on a total of 1,200 workers. Migrant workers are

recruited from several countries, including Burma, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam and Indonesia. On 25

August, 30 JVC workers from Sri Lanka were summarily dismissed, allegedly in retaliation for their

demand to be paid the salary that was promised to them when recruited. So far, eight women of this

group were repatriated without receiving any compensation for their untimely dismissal.

GoodElectronics is supportive of the struggle of Asian and international labour groups on behalf of

these migrant workers. Indirectly employed migrant women workers have a most precarious position,

on the labour market as well as in the host country’s society. As a responsible employer JVC should

live up to internationally agreed labour standards and especially protect vulnerable workers.

GoodElectronics will post news items about the situation at JVC Malaysia on its website.

GoodElectronics is an international network for human rights and sustainability in the global

electronics supply chain.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,

Pauline Overeem

Pauline Overeem

Network Coordinator

GoodElectronics

International Network on Human Rights & Sustainability in Electronics

Sarphatistraat 30

1018 GL Amsterdam

The Netherlands

T: +31(0) 20 639 12 91

M: +31(0)6 413 443 85

p.overeem@goodelectronics.org

skype: pauline.overeem

www.goodelectronics.org

HOSTED BY SOMO

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Myanmar workers laid off without notice

Myanmar workers laid off without notice

NAJIAH NAJIB

YAP AIK MENG

SHAHRIM TAMRIN

Monday, March 15th, 2010 12:12:00

ALL ROUND MISERY: Myanmar workers live in shabby conditions — Pic: HUSSEIN SHAHARUDDIN

KUALA LUMPUR: In Myanmar, US$850 (about RM2,900) is enough to sustain a person comfortably for a year, and that's what Zar Ni Swe from Yangon paid to an agent to get a job as a waitress in a restaurant in Malaysia.

But on Feb 15, the second day of the Chinese New Year, Ni Swe, along with 25 other Myanmar waiters and waitresses at Jogoya Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, were given a week's notice that their services were no longer required.

This heart-breaking news was conveyed to them in a memo which gave no reason nor was it signed.

On top of that, the memo had more bad news — the first part dealt with Myanmar waiters who had savings, and the second part for those who didn't have money.

In the case of Ni Swe, she was asked to pay a RM450 levy to the restaurant, also a month's salary of RM150 as compensation for her "previous mistakes" (no matter whether she was at fault or not) and also immigration costs of RM150.

Those with no savings were told to work for another company until they paid their dues to get their passports back.

Ni Swe, who worked for almost four years, had the courage to ask the restaurant management why she and her countrymen and women were given a week's notice when it should have been a three months'. No satisfactory answer was given.

Allegedly too, the restaurant had not paid their February salary.

What followed were frantic attempts to seek help from their agents in Myanmar ("We cannot help") and Malaysia ("We can't help too"), embassy of Myanmar ("Call your agents"), the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia or Suhakam ("Wait for labour office to investigate"), police ("Call your agents") and the Federal Territory Labour Department ("Give us some time to investigate").

The hostel where Ni Swe and another 69 Myanmars were staying were also in deplorable condition.

The hostel is a four-storey building at Jalan Changkat Thamby Dollah. The restaurant and storeroom are on the first floor, the male Myanmar workers live on the second floor and the females live on the third floor.

With so many cramped inside each living room, the air is stuffy. With limited number of fans, the environment is perpetually hot, humid and uncomfortable and it's hard to imagine how anyone can have a peace of mind under such conditions.

The staircase is cluttered with personal stuff that could not be accommodated in their living space. The walls of the staircase are also stained by urine.

Each worker is provided a thin mattress and they sleep on double-deckers.

Cut-throat employers will be booked, says Labour Dept

PETALING JAYA: Local employers are still fleecing foreign workers of levies from their salaries — despite the Labour Department warning employers about a year ago.

Federal Territory director Khamis A.R. Majid said the department was viewing the matter seriously.

“We witnessed numerous cases where employers were still deducting levies from the foreign workers’ salaries under unlawful terms,” he said.

Last April 1, the Labour Department had issued a circular stating that employers could continue to deduct levies from foreign workers’ wages only until their permit expired for the year.

On renewal of the permit, employers should bear the levy cost for foreign workers with no further deductions made for levy purposes.

The circular also states that employers are not permitted to deduct wages for the levy payment for workers recruited after April 1, 2009.

Until the new decision on Double Levy payment is made, the rates remain unchanged.

The annual levy for foreign workers can range from RM360 (domestic help and agriculture) to RM1,800 (services).

The circular, dated April 20, 2009 and signed by Labour Department director-general Datuk Ismail Abdul Rahim, was issued to business operators as well as foreign embassies in Malaysia.

Khamis said in the latest case, the department had to step in when 26 Myanmar workers from a KL-based Japanese buffet restaurant cried foul upon learning that their salaries were deducted by their employer for levy purposes, among other things.

“In the Myanmar case, the workers also claimed they were laid off without notice, and only given a week’s notice to move out of their hostel. This is a serious case because there have been too many cases of employers taking advantage of foreign workers and tarnishing the country’s good image,” he said.

“Rest assured we will take action against local employers pulling such stunts.”

Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) senior industrial relations officer, Peter Kandiah, who is helping the Myanmar workers, including getting their passports back from their employers, has called for the Human Resources Ministry to step up efforts against errant employers.

"It's too easy for local employers to dupe foreign workers because too many times, these foreigners don't know how, who or where to turn to for assistance," he said, when met at the FT Labour Department office last Thursday.

"The ministry's system is not effective enough even to protect local workers, much less foreign labourers."

How The Malay Mail got the action going

CHAOTIC: FT Labour officers and the Myanmar workers in front of the restaurant last Thursday. Pic: ASHRAF SHAMSUL AZLAN

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malay Mail had received a tip-off that the 26 Myanmar workers had been sacked by Jogoya Restaurant.

Our team had gone to the restaurant last Wednesday to seek clarification but to no avail.

On Thursday, the workers were brought by countryman Yan Naing Tun from an NGO called Burma Campaign Malaysia to the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) to seek help from its senior industrial relations officer Peter Kandiah, accompanied by The Paper That Cares.

Kandiah led the group to the Federal Territory Labour Department office at Wisma Perkeso in Jalan Ampang to state their case. The same day, the department sent five officers to the restaurant to get back the workers' passports but were unable to meet the management.

Soon after, the restaurant manager was called to the FT Labour Department office and was told to return the passports, refund the deducted levies, to pay wages to the workers until today, and also provide their return air tickets.

The restaurant management met the department officers on March 12 to return the passports, and negotiate the department's demands.

On Friday, the management said they will provide air tickets for those who worked three years and above, and will only pay wages up to February. However, if both sides are unable to agree, the case will be brought to the Labour Court.

When contacted last night, Zar Ni Swe, one of the 26 Myanmar workers, said they hoped to get their passports today.

source: malaymail, mmail.com.my

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Exploitation on Burmese Workers

About 100 female Burmese migrant workers who were employed under the category of foreign migrant workers by one company n Malaysia. These Burmese workers arrived Malaysia as legal migrant workers. They were sent to Malaysia by Shwe Ponsan Foreign Workers Company based in Burma. They were received by TEBERAU JAT SDN BHD. The address of the company is: No. 26, Jalan Pulai 13, Taman Pulai Utama, Skudai. The responsible person of that company is Mr. Amutha and contact mobile number is 012-7219246. They are working in an electronic company namely ITG Electronic Company and address are Singapore office address is: No. 6, EU Tong Sen Street, #10-08, Singapore 059817, Tel: +65-68966979. Fax: +65-68966973.

Malaysia Factories: No. 10, Jalan Hasil, Kawasan Perindustrian Jalan Hasil, 81200 Tampoi, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +607-2345722. Fax: +607-2345731 / +607-2345503


Above mentioned ITG company is not taking any responsibility for the Burmese workers when they arrived in Malaysia. Therefore, TEBERAU JAT SDN BHD has arranged for the Burmese workers. In a two storey building, about 30 workers are sleeping upstairs and 50 workers are sleeping downstairs without their own rooms. Every floor has 3 bath rooms, but all are not useable and only one wash-room has been use for all workers. Six by six foot room was given as a kitchen for all workers. However, every worker has to pay RM10 for water and electricity.

They are working in ITG Electronic Company, but there is no proper health-care for the Burmese workers. Besides, the company which officially brought the workers from Burma is also neglecting the condition of workers. Therefore, the workers have to pay for their medication when they are sick. If the clinic doesn’t grant the medical leave, the ITG Company cuts RM 52 per day per absentee. During 2009 economic downturn, the company stopped the factory about three months. During that period, every worker was provided with only RM 100 per three month for their food. The workers’ daily wages was RM 18.50. Normal monthly income of the worker was RM 480 and if a worker worked for extra hours, total monthly income was RM 864. However, each worker had to pay RM 120 for levy fee. Therefore, each worker had to pay RM 130 (electricity, water and levy fee ).

One time, the agent cut RM 50 per worker for the reason of issuing bank cards. But no one has accepted bank card yet. This year each worker had to pay RM 50 per month for 8 months for the reason of extending the validity of their passports. About 30 workers who didn’t accept such policy quit their jobs, abandoned their work permits and passports and started working as illegal migrant workers in different areas.

In this month of December 2009, when 7 female workers prepared to go back to Burma, but invalidity of their work permit, they couldn’t go back to Burma. Finally, they informed the Burmese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and by the help of Burmese Embassy, six female workers were able to go back to Burma on 17th Dec 2009. However, one female worker had to go back Burma illegally through Thailand by the brokers. Burmese Embassy always ignores the problems and difficulties of Burmese workers in Malaysia due to maintain good relationship with Malaysian government. After all workers have to know such incident, they asked the agent to provide them with their copy of work permit. However the agent didn’t provide them what they asked for. Consequently, all Burmese are suffering fear as if they are illegal in Malaysia.

Some of those workers contacted us recently and they asked us to find some help to get back their passports, work permits. Our group and Network of Action for Migrant in Malaysia (NAMM) will continue to help them within our capacity.

Burma Campaign Malaysia
Tun Tun
016-2980784
e-mail: wnyunt@hotmail.com




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Recognised refugee will get the iD card , can stay temporary and work

Recognised refugee will get the iD card , can stay temporary and work ( Home ministry said can do odd job ! very odd comment.)

It is time for us to call for register all migrants especially from Burma .. allow to stay, work, access to health care and ect .

Malaysia plans IDs for refugees to prevent arrest

Published: January 31, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia plans to issue identification cards to refugees who are recognized by the United Nations, allowing them to stay in the country temporarily and avoid arrest as illegal immigrants.

Malaysia, which has declined to join the U.N. convention on refugees for fear of attracting a flood of migrants, previously has arrested refugees frequently as illegal aliens. Mostly from Myanmar, the refugees often have spent months in overcrowded detention center and faced caning and deportation.

The plans announced Monday reflect a softening of Malaysia's position toward the refugees, although it continues to refuse them official recognition.

Home Ministry Secretary General Mahmood Adam said the government would work with the U.N. refugee agency to issue the cards so immigration enforcement personnel would recognize and spare U.N.-designated refugees.

"As long as they are recognized as refugees by the U.N., they can stay here temporarily," he told The Associated Press. "They cannot work here, but they can do odd jobs."

He could not give an exact timeline but said the initiative was in the "final stage."

According to the U.N. agency, about 75,600 refugees and asylum-seekers were in Malaysia as of November. Most fled persecution in Myanmar.

Yante Ismail, a spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, welcomed the development and further discussions to form a documentation system.

"Proper documentation for refugees is essential to their protection," she said.

All of the refugees in Malaysia are waiting to be resettled to a third country that officially accepts refugees, which grants them legal status and the right to work.

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