Tuesday November 13, 2007

Govt will tackle foreign worker employers as well

By NG CHENG YEE

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed Act on foreign workers is to ensure that both employers and employees who contravene the law are dealt with immediately, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the Government did not want certain quarters to think that only foreign workers were being dealt with under the law, while employers were not being punished or no action was being taken against them.

“That (action against employers) requires immediate attention. Even under the existing laws, we do not see immediate action taken against employers who break the law.

“The public, foreign governments and foreign workers will think that we are only punishing foreign labourers or workers as opposed to employers who abuse the law,” he told reporters after the opening ceremony of the 10th Asia Pacific Responsible Care Conference and 35th Asean Chemical Industries Council Conference here Tuesday. He said the Economic Planning Unit would look at the recommended level in terms of sectoral demand for foreign workers.

Asked if foreign companies would be scared away from setting up business in Malaysia with the introduction of such an Act, he said: “Why should you be scared away? As long as you observe the law, you shouldn’t be afraid.”

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho said on Monday that tougher measures, which included a new Act, would be introduced to reduce dependency on foreign workers and curb the influx of illegal immigrants.

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