KUCHING, Feb 12: Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran cannot just wash his hands off of the reports claiming Malaysia and Pakistan have struck a deal that would see up to 150,000 Pakistanis employed as security guards in this country, says Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general J. Solomon.
“As the Minister of Human Resources, he should be the first person to seek clarification from the Ministry of Home Affairs and not leave the task to the media.
“Under the current legislated procedures for employing foreigners, the first step for anyone will be to apply to the Ministry of Human Resources for approval,” he lashed out in a statement today.
Responding to a news reports by Pakistani media outlet, The Nation, the Human Resources Minister had said he was in the dark over the matter and that it fell under the Home Ministry’s purview.
Solomon thus expressed shock that the announcement on hiring Pakistanis as security guards was made by a Pakistani diplomat before the Cabinet had even been informed.
“Obviously, this was an arbitrary decision without consulting any stakeholders,” he opined.
The report citing Pakistan diplomats was worrying, he added because if true, it will directly worsen the issues surrounding the increasing number of foreign immigrants with low salaries in Malaysia.
“An influx of Pakistanis especially for sensitive jobs such as security guards is also worrisome to ordinary Malaysians and poses serious questions on the need to increasingly farm out such jobs to low skilled foreigners, many with no prior relevant experience.
“Bringing in tens of thousands of low skilled Pakistanis who will be paid at best the minimum wage of RM1,200 prior to the slew of salary deductions and entrusting them with the security of neighbourhoods public and private buildings and banks is a daunting thought,” he emphasised.
Solomon stressed that Kulasegaran needs to show more responsibility and not merely repeat his claims that there were allegedly enough of well paying jobs for Malaysians.
As such, MTUC called on the minister to verify this ‘disturbing’ report with both government leaders and Pakistan authorities so that the rights and interest of the public and workers can be safeguarded.
“The socio-economic impact of foreign migrants has hit the Malaysian people hard and the situation is worsening despite a new government sworn in May 2018,” he added. — DayakDaily
