Rights commission seeks RM750 minimum wage for plantation workers

comments     Leong Kar Yen     Published     Updated

The Malaysian Human Rights Commission, or Suhakam, today called on the government to enact a law which guarantees a monthly wage of RM750 for all plantation workers.

In its 2001 annual report released today, the commission said that plantation workers should also be given an annual increment of RM50, a minimum yearly bonus of one-month salary and a retirement benefit of RM1,000 for each year of service.

It added that the rights of these workers to remain in the plantation be respected, until and unless alternative housing is provided for them.

"The government should also enact a housing law to provide for adequate facilities in the new housing areas for places of worship, playgrounds and a community hall."

The plight of workers in both rubber and palm oil plantations has been a blight in the country's push for industrialisation.

Rubber plantation workers have been receiving daily wages for decades. They do not get paid by their employers on days when they could not work due to rain. Their campaign for a monthly wage has so far fallen on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, oil palm plantation workers fared slightly better with the government agreeing early last year to provide monthly wages for them. However, many complained that their minimum wage of RM325 was too low.

The plantation workers and their families, who are sometimes referred to as estate workers, have also complaint of being booted out as their houses to make way for development. Many have lived in their houses, which are provided by the plantation companies, for generations.

The 104-page Suhakam report, made available to parliamentarians today in Parliament, is the commission's second annual report.

Accessible public transportation

Meanwhile, Suhakam also proposed a set of laws to protect the rights of disable people.

The law should include "people with intellectual disabilities, to promote affirmative action in their favour and to eliminate discriminatory practices as well as architectural and communication barriers", the report added in its chapter on the rights of the disadvantaged.

The 13-member commission also called on the government to review the existing education laws, charters and administrative policies that deny disabled children the right to education and which segregate disabled children to separate institutions for care, treatment or education.

On the issue of providing accessible public transportation, Suhakam called for "ensuring that every new vehicle or new infrastructure is accessible to everybody, particularly the elderly and disabled persons".

Accessibility for the disabled should also include structural plans "for disabled persons in the formulation of all new or revised structure and local plans".

On the rights of women, the commission stressed that there is "no dichotomy of rights between Muslim women and the women of other faiths".

"Therefore the amendment to Article 8(2) of the federal constitution must apply to all Muslims as well as citizens of all faith," the report added. Article 8(2) guarantees equality among the sexes.

The commission will also undertake a special report on the needs of female-headed households taking into consideration their special financial needs.

Minimise trauma on the child

On the issue of children in court cases, Suhakam called on the judicial system to revise their current procedure to minimise trauma on the child.

"Cases involving crimes against children should also be put on the fast track," the report stated.

The commission also recommended that parents be trained in parenting skills and child development to avoid possible child abuse and neglect.

For perpetrators of sexual abuse and sex offender, the commission believed that counselling services should be expedited.

"Mandatory reporting of child abuse cases should be extended to cover kindergarten and school teachers to provide a wider net of protection and welfare services for more affected children," the report stated.

Better deals for migrants

For migrant workers, the commission recommended that more stringent penalties be enacted for unscrupulous employers and labour-importing agents who are trafficking human beings.

"Migrants workers should also be allowed to seek employment while waiting for legal redress related to labour disputes," the report added.

The commission is helmed by former attorney-general Abu Talib Othman and comprises 12 commissioners.



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