The second reading of the Employment Act (Amendment) Bill 2010 will go on during the Dewan Rakyat sitting this time despite protests from the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).

NONE Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam said the amendments would enable more systematic monitoring of and control over labour outsourcing agencies, especially in isolated locations.

"There had been cases in the plantations where the workers were exploited and abused, or had to endure other forms of maltreatment. But the government had difficulty to take action as it did not know who the suppliers and contractors were," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

This morning, about 200 trade union activists from the MTUC held a picket, demanding the Human Resources Ministry to withdraw the amendments to the Employment Act 1955, which they said would instead exploit he workers.

The Employment Act (Amendment) Bill 2010 was tabled for the first reading in Parliament on July 8, 2010, but was withdrawn at the Oct 12 sitting to take into consideration the views from various quarters, including MTUC, on the definition of sub-contractors as contractors for labour under Section 2 of the Employment Act 1955.

"We had discussed the matter not once or twice, but 18 times and their views were accepted. However, they have picketed now, at the last moment. But our intention is to give protection to workers and not open room for outsourcing as alleged," Subramaniam said.

With the amendments to the Employment Act, the ministry would have a comprehensive record on workers and this would facilitate monitoring.

"If the workers are registered, we can give them better protection. We are trying to minimise (abuses). That is why we should know the number and where the abuses are."

He said the outsourcing agencies, however, came under the purview of the Home Ministry and they could not be simply rid off.

- Bernama