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N Garden Sheds Enterprise
169A, Jalan Seri Impian 1,
Taman Impian Emas,
Skudai, 81300 Johor.
07-5591325/5578995
07-5579016
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Latest News

慕尤丁:對素質多不滿意‧檢討引進印尼女傭費用

Aug 25, 2009
星洲日報‧2009.08.18

(吉隆坡)副首相丹斯里慕尤丁指出,政府將全面檢討現有引進印尼女傭的費用。

他也是內閣外勞委員會的主席。他表示,大馬有必要針對日益調漲的女傭收費及女傭缺乏培訓等問題,與印尼政府進行深入會談及探討。

許多家庭不滿女傭素質

他表示,如果被引進大馬的印尼女傭是有素質及效率的話,相信國人不會介意支付更多的費用;然而,事實證明,許多大馬家庭都對印尼女傭的素質不甚滿意。

“這樣的問題,也曾經發生在我的家庭。”

副首相今日(週二,8月18日)在主持“2009年第7屆婦女峰會”問答環節時指出,馬印兩國內政部原定就女傭課題舉行會議,惟印尼在大馬一個月前提呈有關備忘錄之後,至今仍沒有給予回應。

他說,外勞委員會也在月前的會議中,針對如何提昇印尼女傭效率等問題進行詳細討論。

他指出,現有的女傭收費已經過多次的調整,包括設定最低薪金,在不排除一些女傭代理及中介人可能從中牟利的情況下,才會導致女傭收費日益昂貴。

此外,受詢及如何提昇女性在政治及政府相關公司的參與度,副首相表示,政府將鼓勵各政府相關公司的首席執行員,在委任公司高層時,給予有經驗及能干的女性公平的擢升機會。

針對一名大馬女學生在台灣求學遭教授性騷擾卻求助無門的問題,副首相表示,大馬只承認一個中國,而大馬駐台灣友誼及貿易中心只能通過非官方的方式協助留台的大馬人。

“1000個理由證明配套失敗”
婦女峰會發問難倒副揆”

首次受邀出席婦女峰會對話會的慕尤丁在面對全國大大小小婦女組織代表連珠炮的問題時,竟然被一名來自旅遊部的女官員“問倒”。

這名婦女在問答環節時公開挑戰副首相,指她有1000個理由可以證明政府的刺激經濟配套是一項失敗的計劃,令坐在台上的慕尤丁面露尷尬之色。

“你願意見我的話,或允許我到你辦公室的話,我可以告訴你為何有關配套會失敗。”

雖然慕尤丁沒有表態接見這名婦女,不過他卻禮貌的回應對方提出的另一道有關旅遊部官員在國外促銷旅遊無法獲得貿工部津貼的問題。

慕尤丁表示,他將指示國際貿易及工業部及其部長拿督斯里慕斯達法檢討現有政策,由政府來承擔海外促銷旅遊產品的費用。

女性董事減至6%

慕尤丁表示,雖然政府設下30%女性出任公共領域高職的目標,但數據顯示,出任公司董事的女性從2004年的9.9%持續減少至去年的6.1%。

他表示,目前只有12%的女性在政府相關公司擔任高層人員,不過擔任公司總經理或首席執行員的女性則從2004年的13.5%提昇到去年的26.2%。

為家庭責任放棄工作

他表示,2004年國家人口及家庭發展局所進行的一份調查報告顯示,55.7%的大馬女性是基於家庭責任而放棄工作,因此為了協助職場女性,政府已採取步驟推介可以使她們兼顧家庭的工作環境。

另一方面,婦女、家庭及社會發展部長拿督斯里莎麗扎表示,大馬週二可以有越來越多的女性擔任公司及政府決策人,全都是國陣政府的功勞。

她說,這些都是國陣政府推行改善婦女待遇政策的功勞。

她也說,她對大馬女性在公共及私人領域的參與度感到不滿,並將把婦女峰會所收集的所有意見提呈給政府。

“反貪會不必停止調查”

副首相慕尤丁表示,總檢察長在“雪州大臣發出雪州官員只能在州政府大廈內接受反貪污委員會錄口供的通令”的課題上所做出的立場,正是政府的立場。

慕尤丁強調,反貪會不必停止他們對貪污的各項調查工作,並且應無畏無懼的執行他們的任務。

針對公正黨向反貪污委員會報案,要求徹查他被指濫用權力乘坐軍方鸚鵡型直升機前往亞庇的事件,慕尤丁說,他一點也不害怕,並認為公正黨看來已技窮,所以才使出這種伎倆。

他說,每天都有很多人去報案,所以他認為不是問題,也不會被阻嚇。

聶阿茲談話交宗教司裁定

另一方面,針對回教黨精神領袖聶阿茲指巫統黨員不能進天堂,因為該黨奉行的是巴勒斯坦的回教教義一事,慕尤丁說,聶阿茲的說法應交由全國回教裁決理事會和國家宗教司去裁定是否正確。

他說,雖然他也深諳回教,不過因為他是副首相,擔心別人會把他所說的當成是政治說辭,所以最好還是由回教裁決理事會和國家宗教司去回答。

他表示,聶阿茲應該停止這種談話,因為這已不是他第一次發表這種違反回教的談話。

星洲日報‧2009.08.18

引進印尼女傭費用高‧政府將全面檢討

Aug 25, 2009
光明日報‧2009.08.18

(吉隆坡)政府將對現有引進印尼女傭的日益高昂費用進行全面檢討。

副首相丹斯里慕尤丁說,女傭收費日益昂貴,相信跟經過多次的調整,包括設定最低薪金,不無關係。

他不排除一些女傭代理和中介人從中牟利,也可能是其中因素。

慕尤丁也是內閣外勞委員會主席,他指出,除了女傭收費,政府也認為有必要就女傭缺乏培訓等問題,與印尼政府進行深入會談及探討。

若素質好不介意多付他透露,外勞委員會曾就如何提昇印尼女傭效率等問題,於月前召開的會議中進行詳細討論。

他相信,倘若引進大馬家庭的印尼女傭是有素質及效率,相信國人不介意支付更多的費用。

可是,他說,很多家庭都對印尼女傭的素質不甚滿意,“類似問題也曾經發生在我的家庭。”

他表示,馬印兩國內政部原定就女傭課題舉行會議,不過,在大馬提呈備忘錄的一個月後,印尼仍未給予回應。

慕尤丁今日(週二,8月18日)主持“2009年第7屆婦女峰會”問答環節時,詢及如何提昇女性在政治及政府相關公司的參與度時表示,政府將鼓勵各政府相關公司的首席執行員,在委任公司高層時,給予有經驗及能干的女性公平的擢升機會。

他說,沒有在峇東巴西區補選委派女性候選人上陣,絕對不是黨或政府歧視女性。

他強調,對候選人的遴選基於各種因素,包括候選人是否獲得選民接受,與性別無關,也與勝算無關。

對一名在台灣求學的女學生遭教授性騷擾卻求助無門的問題,慕尤丁說,由於大馬只承認一個中國,馬來西亞人只能向大馬在台灣的友誼及貿易中心尋求非官方協助。

副揆被旅遊部官員“問倒”

一名來自旅遊部的女官員,週二在“2009年第7屆婦女峰會”問答環節,“問倒”副首相慕尤丁。

這名女官員表示,她有1000個理由可以證明政府的刺激經濟配套是一項失敗的計劃。

她說,如果慕尤丁願意見她,她準備到其辦公室向他說明刺激經濟配套為何會失敗的箇中原因。

面對這名女官員的公開挑戰,坐在台上的慕尤丁聽了,也只能面露尷尬之色。

雖然沒有表明是否會與這名女官員會面,但慕尤丁對她提出有關旅遊部官員在國外促銷旅遊卻無法獲得貿工部津貼的另一道問題,作出禮貌回應。

他表示將指示貿工部及其部長拿督斯里慕斯達法檢討現有政策,由政府來承擔海外促銷旅遊產品的費用。

慕尤丁是首次受邀出席婦女峰會對話會,結果他在問答環節,受到來自全國大大小小婦女組織代表的連珠炮式問題所轟炸。

光明日報‧2009.08.18

專訪移民局總部執法組主任‧占比里:擬援引反人口販賣法令‧嚴打壓榨外勞賣淫集團

Aug 25, 2009
星洲日報‧2009.08.23

(獨家報道:陳嵩傑‧布城)移民局總部執法組主任莫哈末占比里披露,政府相關執法單位,已做好準備,援引2007年《反人口販賣法令》,以全面打擊壓榨非法外籍工人的僱主,以及經營外籍女子賣淫活動的集團份子。

他指出,這並非意味著過去移民局的法令,並不能有效對付這類的非法活動,而是這項新法令的制訂,以及執法對象,更能專注處理進行這些非法勾當的人士。

料近期展開執法行動

他說,最近當局執法組、警方、關稅局以及海事執法局,4個政府部門已舉行聯席會議,展開情報研究和行動的策略工作,並鎖定一些對象,預料近期內將展開行動。

莫哈末占比里接受《星洲日報》獨家專訪時,針對他上任的使命,以及執法行動的目標,發表談話。

他說,過去也有不少僱主非法僱用,或庇護非法外勞,而受到對付;但為了更有效遏止這些涉及人口販賣的活動,國會已在2007年通過上述法令,如今是引用這項法令,對付有關非法活動的時候。

他表示,目標已鎖定壓榨非法外勞,以及在娛樂場所利用外籍女人進行賣淫活動的僱主,或中間人。

他透露,在這項法令下罪成者,最高監禁不超過10年,或罰款25萬令吉,或兩者兼施。

難準確估計非法外勞數目

針對非法入境者,或外勞的實際數據,莫哈末占比里說,今非昔比,處在80、90年代,通過非法途徑入境者,泰半通過陸路,或海岸線潛入境內。

不過,他說,現在這些已被當局列為非法入境者,或在國內非法工作者,都是通過主要國際機場關卡入境;有效入境簽證逾期後,就成非法入境者的一份子。

他舉例,如果過去,合法外勞與非法入境者,人數比例是一對一的話,即意味著100萬合法勞工,就有100萬非法勞工。

他說,而今的比例,可能是四對一,如果國內擁有200萬合法勞工,那麼非法者則有50萬人。

他坦承,這只是一個推測的數目,在這種國際遊客大量流動的形勢下,當局是難以估計非法入境者的準確數據。

星洲日報‧2009.08.23

熟食檔外勞掌廚‧食客吃興大減

Aug 17, 2009
星洲日報/大都會‧2009.08.14

(雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也)吉隆坡是美食天堂。這是多年以來響譽本地乃至外國的盛名。甚至也有所謂的旅行團特地組個美食團前來大馬,為的就是一嘗本地美食。

然而隨著時代的變遷,在雪隆許多地區,卻看不到老闆親自操刀;反之更多時候我們看到的,卻是外勞一手拿鍋、一手握鏟,當起掌廚人來了。

這樣的現象,尤其在一些小販中心或咖啡店最為顯著。

食客擔心失水准

對食客來說,當發現下廚的是外勞時,可能會興致大減甚至感到不舒服。同時擔心由外勞所烹煮出來的食物,是否失水准。

不過也有受訪的食客認為,由外勞烹煮出來的食物並無不妥。

本地員工計較要求多

受訪的餐飲業者也認為,並非他們不願意聘請本地員工,而且本地員工往往計較多、要求多、卻付出少,而且主見性很強,有的甚至會擅自更改食譜,影響食物的品質。

反之對業者來說,外勞們刻苦耐勞又肯聽教,更不會擅自更改食譜。這對業者來說,至少不用擔心食物的品質隨時出現變化。

不過也有業者對聘請外勞一事有所保留。因為受訪者認為外勞不瞭解我們的飲食文化,始終無法烹調出本地人喜好的美食。

俞值昌―雪隆姑蘇慎忠行餐飲業公會副會長:小販事先調好湯底

“即使出現外勞煮食,但是民族食物是不可能會被取代的。

尤其是一些傳統美食。

目前一些地方確實出現外勞準備食物的現象,但是很多時候小販們已經準備好一切材料包括已調好味道和湯底等,而他們(外勞)只是負責把所有配料混在一起,然後上桌。如果是這樣的情況,也不能算是外勞掌廚了。

一般這樣的現象只會出現在小食中心,酒樓則較少出現這樣的情況,外勞一般也只能做一些幫手的工作而已。

我不擔心本地美食市場被外勞佔據,雖然現在許多年輕人都不喜歡踏入這一行,但是卻也有不少人正將之慢慢轉型,以另一種方式來推廣本地美食。”

馬哈迪―前首相:外勞掌廚水水準不差

“我對美食頗有研究,本地美食何其多,雖然目前許多餐飲業者皆出現了外勞掌廚,但這是無可避免的現象,因為最主要的問題是本地人都不願意做這份他們認為是苦差的工作。

如果有得選擇,我相信他們(餐飲業者)也不願意聘請外勞。不過大家也不用太擔心,因為雖然一些地方是外勞掌廚,但是水准也不差。

事實上,我發現這些外勞們的學習能力都很強。只需要一點時間,他們就也能煮出似模似樣的本地食物。本地仍然有不錯的道地美食,同時不會被淘汰。

覺得本地人都不如外國人珍惜本地美食。

不過卻發現越來越多將本地餐飲業者將本地美食以企業化的方式來經營,這無疑是一個不錯的經營手法。”

拿督姚長祿吉隆坡旅遊行動理事會總經理:外勞協助不影響美食素質

“吉隆坡是一個美食天堂。不管是本地人還是外國遊客都喜好尋找美食。

許多美食地點出現外勞的協助是一種形勢所需。但是相信這並不會影響美食的素質。

因為隨著時代的進步,舊有的會被新的取代。但是只要傳統美食還有市場,還是有人會經營。只是必須改變經營手法來生存下去。相信不管時代如何變遷,它(美食)都不會出現斷層。”

業者談話

鍾華珍餐飲業者:外勞難瞭解本地人需求

“本地美食尤其是華人食物的烹調方法,是無法被外勞取代的。因為他們畢竟無法瞭解本地人的需求。尤其很多時候若顧客知道食物是由外勞所烹調的,在形象上已經大打折扣了。

為了保持食物的水准,外勞一般能夠做的只是從旁協助,包括把食材和配料準備好和清洗工作。

雖然現在許多餐飲業都面對沒有接班人的問題,但是相信這只是時間上的問題。只要有市場,還是有人會做下去。”

王美菊餐飲業者:外勞聽教又勤勞

“美食的做法會失傳與否,主要還是看管理人如何去監管食物的水准和品質。只要監管得當,不管是交給本地人還是外勞,都不會發生導致食物失去原汁原味有問題。

站在業者的立場,很多時候我們並非不想聘請本地人,只是本地人要求多、計較多,卻少付出,讓餐飲業者很為難。

一些本地員工要求工作時間不可以太長、週末必須休息、常常請假、薪水要求高、又斤斤計較等,試問這樣的員工我們哪裡請得了?要強調的是並非要一竹竿打翻全船人,但是許多餐飲業者確實面對這樣的問題。

反觀外勞員工,只要業者沒有虧待他們,他們都會很努力回報,而且也都很聽教。在這樣的情況下,我們也只好聘請外勞。”

顧客談話

劉淑兒(22歲)顧客:僱主會在旁監督

“我覺得還好,味道就是普普通通,沒甚麼差別,因為我也不能確定食物的原味是如何,所以區分不出。

另外,外勞在烹煮食物過程中雇主都在旁監督,所以也不擔心引發衛生問題及影響食欲。”

陳先生(55歲)顧客:外勞烹煮味道不同

“由外勞所烹煮的食物味道當然有所不同,主要原因是外勞都不吃我們所吃的食物,因為文化及宗教的差異,所以飲食習慣自然也不一樣。

在這種情況下,烹煮食物的外勞就不能嘗試自己所煮食物的味道,那就不能針對自己的廚藝檢討而改進。”

張女士(52歲)顧客:只是依步驟烹煮

“小販聘請外勞烹煮食物其實沒甚麼不妥,我也不擔心味道會有差異,因為外勞就好比工廠內操縱機器的員工,雇主準備好材料,員工只是根據所擬定的步驟烹煮。”

陳先生(24歲)顧客:味道會比較差

“我覺得問題不大,只是食物煮出來味道比較差,少了食物的原味。

雖然是由外勞烹煮的食物,但不會影響我的食欲,照吃不誤,也不擔心衛生問題。我想小販聘請外勞是因為工資便宜及本地年輕人對飲食業缺乏興趣所致。”

星洲日報/大都會‧2009.08.14

製冰廠氨氣泄漏意外‧2外勞仍在加護病房

Aug 17, 2009
星洲日報‧2009.08.15

(柔佛‧新山)新山淡杯一家製冰廠週五(8月14日)發生氨氣(俗稱“阿摩尼亞”)泄漏事件,除了2名外勞由消拯員破窗救出外,其實7名外勞在消拯員抵達前,已被工廠負責人載往醫院救治。

目前,除了2名外勞還在加護病房接受治療外,其餘7人都在普通病房,他們情況穩定。

這次遭氨氣影響的外勞中,包括4名越南人、3名孟加拉人及兩名尼泊爾人。

2名還在加護病房的外勞分別是1名尼泊爾人及1名越南人,他們1人在新山班蘭醫院接受治療,1人則在新山中央醫院。

據1名死裡逃生的外勞表示,他記得事發時是凌晨4時,當時有7人在工廠內做工,樓上的員工宿舍則有9人。

他說,在樓下工廠內工作的員工最先聞到異味,其中5人急忙跑了出去,另2人則上樓叫醒樓上的9人。

他指出,過後,又有3人跑了出來;另6人下樓時由於當時氨氣已經很濃,他們有的嘔吐。有的眼睛腫了起來。所幸他們及時被工廠負責人載去醫院救治;剩下的2人則由消拯員破窗救出。

淡杯這家製冰廠發生的氨氣泄漏事件,是繼雪蘭莪州丹絨加弄發生冷凍槽泄漏氨氣毒死6人事件後,另一宗氨氣泄漏意外。柔州消拯局調查後發現,氨氣是因位於工廠中央的管線破裂而泄漏。

星洲日報‧2009.08.15

Foreign workers must now get Certificate of Eligibility

Aug 13, 2009
Wednesday, 06 May 2009

PETALING JAYA: Foreign workers, including domestic maids, from 10 countries are now required to undergo a mandatory induction course and obtain the Certificate of Eligibility (CE) before applying for visas to work in Malaysia.

The new ruling issued by the Human Resources Ministry and Immigration Department has been implemented from May 1.

Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies president Datuk Raja Zulkepley Dahalan, who issued a statement on the ruling, said that it would only encourage domestic maids to enter the country illegally.

He also said that the new ruling would increase the cost of hiring maids and that would eventually be borne by employers and agencies.

“Foreign maids will also incur additional financial burden,” he said.

Citing an example, Raja Zulkepley said employers hiring Indonesian maids would have to pay RM120 to enable a maid to undergo the induction course to acquire the CE.

“This cost does not include incidental expenses that may be borne by the agencies in both countries,” he said.

Domestic maids should be exempted from attending the course as the nature of their work was “informal” and they are not exposed to serious problems like other workers in the “formal” sector.

Raja Zulkepley said those from Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka would face difficulty in obtaining CEs as these countries do not have training centres for domestic maids.

The new ruling, he said, might cause employers to face problems getting maids from agencies within the next one to three months, as the agents were not ready to fulfil the new requirement.

- The Star

Foreign workers to enjoy RM4 billion levy exemption

Aug 13, 2009
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, Wed:

The 2.2 million foreign workers in the country would enjoy a RM4 billion windfall this year because they need not pay the levy as it would be borne by their employers.

From April, it was compulsory for employers to pay the RM1800 levy per worker per year for both new workers and those who renewed their visas, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director, Shamsuddin Bardan said today.
"Although it was excellent news for the workers, it was great strain for the companies because they had to fork out a huge sum for the levy which would invariably add to the cost of their business," he told Bernama.

"We would therefore seek the government''s consideration to revert to the old system, where the levy was paid by the workers and it was deducted monthly from their wages," he said.

"If this was not possible, then we would appeal to the government to differ this decision, until the economy improved," he added.
According to Shamsuddin the economy had shown signs of improvement, but it was too early to be optimistic.

"This is particularly worrying with the global pandemic of the Influenza A(H1N1) and the meningitis and leptospirosis outbreak locally which could affect the economy and wipe out whatever little gain," he said.

He explained that the Influenza A would affect the airline industry, tourism, hotels and allied services and also retail trade.

However, Shamsuddin welcomed the government''s move to differ the doubling of levy for the foreign workers from RM1800 to RM3600.

"If this was implemented as proposed, then the companies would have to come up with RM8 billion thus pushing many small companies out of business," he said. - BERNAMA

MEF urges Government to clarify foreign worker permit renewal policy

Aug 13, 2009
Monday, 25 May 2009

PETALING JAYA, Mon: The Malaysian Employers Federation today called on the government to clarify its policy on the renewal of permits for the existing foreign workers.

Its executive director, Shamsuddin Bardan said of late the federation had received many complaints from members who were finding it difficult to renew the permits.

"Previously it was a breeze to renew the permits, but now it was very slow as the immigration department took a longer time to process each application," he told Bernama, here. 

He said this delay had caused much concern to companies as they were uncertain whether the permits would be renewed or not.

"We are tempted to interpret this delay as a deliberate attempt to force these workers to go back to their country of origin," Shamsuddin said.
"Whatever it was, it would be better for the government to be transparent, and reveal its real policy so that alternative arrangements could be made in order not to disrupt the companies' operations," he added.


He said another concern of the employers was that of late there had been an "unusual increase" in the number of failures among its foreign workers who took the skills test conducted by the Human Resources Ministry.

This test, he said, was mandatory for foreign workers who wished to extend their contract for the third year and beyond.

"We are not sure if this was another indirect attempt to reduce foreign labour," he added.

Shamsuddin said while the MEF fully supported the government''s policy of reducing foreign labour, it nevertheless wanted clear-cut regulations so that it could not be manipulated.

On the compulsory induction courses for new foreign workers, he said it would be cheaper for the government to conduct them when the workers arrived here rather than have it in their country of origin.

Moreover, he said it was not necessary to conduct such courses for workers from Indonesia or neigbouring South Thailand as the workers were familiar with the local culture and customs.

- BERNAMA

Hire retrenched workers first, factories told

Aug 13, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Companies will not be allowed to recruit foreign workers until they re-hire all the local staff they retrenched.

Labour director-general Datuk Ismail Abdul Rahim said this practice was actually entrenched in the Government’s Code of Conduct for Industrial Harmony.

“The companies should give priority to recalling the workers they retrenched. “These workers can be recruited as new employees and there won’t be any problem retraining them as they already have the skills for it,” he said in an interview here yesterday.

Ismail said the department would only consider the request for foreign workers after companies have shown that they had tried their very best to recruit locals.

“If the manufacturers don’t have enough staff, they can come to us and we will try to place them with workers registered with the department first.

“During the last slowdown, about 27,000 local workers were retrenched. Out of this, we managed to find work for 10,000 through our various programmes.

“About 10,000 more have enrolled in our train and place programmes so there is still another 7,000 workers who can be absorbed into the job market,” he added.

Ismail was commenting on pleas made by various firms including the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers, the electronics sector and several multi-national companies for the Government to lift the freeze on foreign workers, as they were facing an acute shortage of staff following rising orders from around the world.

Some of the companies claimed that many retrenched locals preferred to be enrolled in the “train and place” programmes, for which they were paid a monthly allowance of between RM500 and RM800 due to the low pay on offer.

The freeze was imposed during the last economic slowdown when orders dipped as part of the Government’s measure to safeguard jobs for locals.

Ismail admitted that the low pay structure for factory workers was making it hard to entice locals. “The basic pay is only around RM500 without allowances and overtime. But locals do not wish to work overtime everyday because they want to spend time with their family, unlike foreign workers,” he said.

- thestar.com.my

Employers Call For Review Of 5-year Cap Review For Skilled Foreigners

Aug 13, 2009
Thursday, 23 July 2009

PETALING JAYA, July 23 (Bernama) -- Employers on Thursday called on the government to review its policy to allow skilled foreigners to work in the country for a maximum of five years because it could be detrimental to local businesses.

The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Shamsuddin Bardan said the nett effect of the policy would be that employers would have to spend a lot of time and money to retrain new workers.

At present, the policy was to allow unskilled workers to work here for two years, and from the third year onwards their visa extension depended on their skills.

"Usually these workers were sent to various training courses by the companies and they acquire the required skills to make them eligible to get their visa renewed."

"In reality the workers begin to be productive only from the fourth year onwards, and if we send them off, it would be great loss not only to the companies but also the country," he told Bernama.

He said the loss would be other countries' gain because these trained workers were in much demand elsewhere.

Shamsuddin was commenting on the recent government decision to put a cap of maximum five years service by skilled foreigners as one of the strategies to reduce the country's dependence on them.

He said the MEF fully supported the government's move to reduce foreign labour in Malaysia but restricting the duration for skilled workers would be counter productive.

He agreed with the MTUC's suggestion that the government should instead look into the possibility of restricting the intake of foreign unskilled workers.

"We should encourage and train more locals to acquire skills so that they could easily replace foreigners."

At present there were some 2.1 million foreign workers legally employed in the various sectors.

On the government's intention to attract highly skilled and professional Malaysians abroad to come back and "help develop the country", Shamsuddin said the present policy of enticing these group of workers had not been successful despite the many incentives.

"This was mainly due to the fact the remuneration they received in this country was five times less than what they were getting in their host country."

"So to benefit from their skills, what Malaysia could do was to tap their expertise "using modern technology like video conferencing."

"They can continue to work in the host country, yet they can contribute to Malaysia since what was most required was to harness their ideas and experience," he pointed out.

"The government could also gather these Malaysians every year to brainstorm and come up with ideas and suggestions to develop the country."

--BERNAMA

Foreign Workers Can Only Work For Five Years

Aug 13, 2009
Friday, 17 July 2009

PUTRAJAYA, July 17 (Bernama) -- Effective immediately, foreign workers in all categories, except for maids, will only be allowed to work in Malaysia for a maximum period of five years, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Friday.

After five years, the workers would have to submit a fresh application if they still wanted to work in Malaysia and this would be treated as a new application and would be looked into according to the normal procedure, he said.

The decision was made at a meeting of the cabinet committee on foreign workers and illegal immigrants, here, which was chaired by Muhyiddin.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the meeting focused on two issues, namely to tighten existing policies regarding foreign workers and to minimise dependence on these workers.

The meeting also agreed to retain the freeze on intakes of foreign workers from Bangladesh, and to allow the reemployment of foreign workers in the electrical and electronic sectors as well as the textile sector.

"The cabinet committee also agreed to retain the freeze on the intake of foreign workers in the services sector except in sub-sectors like restaurant chefs, resort cleaners and general workers in resort islands.

"We also agreed not to issue new permits to supply foreign workers. Foreign workers are also not allowed to work in the frontline sector," said Muhyiddin.

On measures to minimise dependence on foreign workers, he said, these would be implemented in stages to ensure they would not negatively affect the country's industries and economy.

He said the meeting also agreed to tighten existing procedures in the intake of foreign workers and that companies supplying foreign workers would only be allowed to supply workers for the manufacturing, plantation and agricultural sectors.

"We also encourage the industry to shift into capital-intensive industry through funds and tax incentives provided by the government.

"We will also study and improve incentives offered to local workers such as salary structure, allowance, training and so on," he said.

The meeting also decided to encourage self-service in sectors like restaurant, petrol station, mini market and so on.

Muhyiddin said the government would encourage the use of integrated building system by up to 70 per cent in all government construction projects.

The private sector is encouraged to do likewise, he added.

-- BERNAMA

“禁聘熟練外勞損失大”‧製造業服務業號召力爭

Aug 13, 2009
星洲日報‧2009.08.11

(吉隆坡)國內製造業和服務業僱主今日(週二,8月11日)申訴內政部嚴禁他們延長熟練型外勞的工作准證,導致業者可能面臨約70%的生產損失,以及產量可能降低約40%。

週二約有20多名僱主召開新聞發佈會,呼吁內政部允許續聘在大馬工作逾10年的熟練型外勞,避免僱主在產能和培訓外勞方面,面對時間、金錢和心理層面更大的損失。

廠商服務業陷困境

全馬僱主代表召集人張金生說,他相信全馬約8000至1萬家廠商和服務業公司,面對類似困境,因此任何面對難題的僱主可聯絡他本人,以集體向內政部提出爭取,其聯絡電話為012-6769609。

他說,他和另一名同僚林福春曾於今年7月27日與內政部外勞處理組主任阿育拉曼舉行對話,阿育指示廠商和僱主將工作准證屆滿的外勞遣送回國,再集體呈上續聘熟練型外勞的申請書。

“受影響的僱主來自雪隆、檳州、關丹、柔佛等地,若僱主繼續聘用工作准證不獲延長的外勞,一旦罪成將面對1萬令吉罰款或監禁的懲罰。”

蕭偉超:向機器廠商總會反映

八打靈再也機械廠商僱主蕭偉超非議馬來西亞機器廠商總會,沒在這事件為會員同業請命,因為在7月時,他曾向該總會反映困境,但未獲回應;因此,他今日(週二,8月11日)再度以書面方式向總會表達困境。

“我有9名外籍工人,約6位8月工件准證屆滿,這會導致70%的生產量受影響。

“不是我不要聘請本地人,而是本地人不要做,而且聘請新的外勞,溝通上會有問題。”

彭德耀:料導致工廠減產40%

雪州無拉港齒輪製造廠東主彭德耀說:“我手上共有38名熟練外勞,若政府嚴格執行禁止續聘工作逾10年的外勞的措施,將有一半以上的外勞受影響。

“我廠裡的外勞來自越南、印尼、尼泊爾和孟加拉,去年我為一名工作13年的外勞更新工作准證不獲批准。這問題預料導致工廠減產約40%。”

吳春山:重培訓吃力不討好

吉隆坡沙叻秀印刷廠僱主吳春山說:“目前外勞人頭稅為1200令吉,政府制定更高的收費我也甘心繳付,因為原有的熟練型外勞已掌握了生產技術,若要重新培訓新人,需花上1、2年時間,吃力不討好。”

謝亞東:大部份外勞受影響

機械製造業者謝亞東說:“他目前聘有6、7名外勞,預計會有大部份外勞受到影響。”

星洲日報‧2009.08.11

20廠商集體訴求‧允僱主續聘熟練外勞

Aug 13, 2009
光明日報‧2009.08.11

(吉隆坡)全馬逾20名廠商代表集體提出訴求,吁請政府將服務超過10年的外勞員工轉為熟練員工,並重新發出工作准證,讓熟練外勞繼續留在本地工作。

全馬雇主代表召集人張金生披露,早前他與內政部外勞事務部官員阿都拉曼的對話中,提出申請新一年的外勞批文,即回聘熟練外勞繼續留在本地工作,卻遭當局拒絕。

他說,外勞事務部勸請僱主將工作准證期滿的外勞遣送回國,並准許在6個月之後再提出新的申請外勞准證,除了孟加拉籍外勞。

他表明,政府規定僱主將工作准證期滿的外勞遣送回國,一般遣送費介於1000至2000令吉,但是,僱主在花時間栽培外勞員工熟悉操作機器之後,卻因為准證期滿,必須遣送回國,致使僱主需重新聘請新外勞,不但費時,也費力。

逾20名來自全馬的廠商代表今日(週二,8月11日)齊聚隆雪華堂召開記者會,要求政府延長超過10年服務的外勞的工作准證。

張金生向記者披露,重新申請外勞批文的程序非常複雜,再加長時間重新栽培新外勞,無形中也影響廠商的生產率”。

1萬僱主受影響

目前有8000至1萬的僱主深受這項新措施影響,最主要的行業包括製造業及機械業。

他呼吁同樣面對外勞申請問題的廠商,站在同一陣線上,集合大家的力量再次向政府作出反映。

另外,機械業者蕭偉超表示,他所聘請的外勞有來自孟加拉、緬甸及印尼,其中大部份都工作超過15年,對機械技術相當熟悉,在語言溝通也不成問題。

“一旦他們被遣送回國,我們要重新聘請員工加以訓練,而且每個新人至少要花上1至2年的時間培訓,這會影響廠商的生產率。”

齒輪製造業者彭德耀說,目前大馬的製造業還需人工,往往很多方面都需要熟練的技術人員,一旦熟練外勞員工被遣送回國,預料他的生意產量會下降至40%。

他指出,政府不應該以外勞罪案的理由來限制廠商聘請外勞,這並不是廠商的問題,而是警方的責任。

製造業者謝亞東表示,重新聘請外勞需耗時間去培訓,況且本地工人往往不喜歡做辛苦及粗重的工作,這也是廠商要聘請外勞工作的原因。

光明日報‧2009.08.11

內長:3部門負責‧將鑑定聘外勞領域

Aug 13, 2009

(布城)內政部長拿督斯里希山慕丁說,內閣週三(8月12日)已決定由種植及原產業部、國際貿易及工業部和人力資源部負責鑑定哪一些特定領域可聘請外勞。

希山慕丁主持內政部內閣會議例常匯報會後在新聞發佈會上說,由於這項工作不是內政部的專長,所以內閣才決定交由上述3個部門負責,而內政部則會根據保安角度來批准外勞申請。

他說,3位部長將儘快開會,以擬定各項細節。

他表示,內閣週三也決定維持凍結聘請孟加拉外勞和不再批准開設外勞外包公司。

希山慕丁警告全國現有277間外包公司安守本份,否則內政部將取消他們的執照。

針對有非政府組織聲稱外勞外包公司涉及販賣人口活動,部長說,他不確定是否真有此事。

不過,他強調,內政部誓言打擊販賣人口活動,因此內政部會與有豐富經驗的各方合作,不會只鎖定在外包公司販賣人口的活動上。

針對他較早前訪問澳洲的課題,希山慕丁說,他與澳洲政府5位同僚針對販賣人口、販毒和反恐課題進行深入探討,並對會談成果感到滿意。

澳重量級訪團26日來馬

他說,澳洲政府一個重量級訪問團會於8月26日前來大馬訪問,以便繼續針對上述課題進行探討工作。

針對回祈團炸彈專家諾汀證實未死一事,希山慕丁指出,大馬會繼續與印尼合作監督所有恐怖活動。