By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia : The labour and human rights of non-citizens — migrant workers, asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons –must be safeguarded, regardless of their immigration status in the country.
Migration Working Group (MWG) co-ordinator Alice Nah listed out common violations of labour and human rights as cheating by agents; wrongful arrest and detention; unpaid wages; wrongful dismissal; and wrongful deduction of wages, among others.
She urged the government to ensure that the right to redress for all non-citizens was protected.
Nah was speaking to reporters at the MWG’s “The Right to Redress for All Non-Citizens” campaign here Saturday.
The MWG is a network of civil society groups and individuals advocating protection of migrant workers, refugees and stateless persons in the country.
On documented migrant workers, Nah said even they found it extremely challenging to obtain redress for a grievance.
“In many cases, when they file cases against their employer, their employer cancels their work permit.
“They lose their right to stay in Malaysia, as well as their right to work,” she added.