Worker difficulty breathing, workers ask employer's help, police called, worker arrested

Will the AG charge the employer for the death of the Nepali worker in Pokok Sena, Kedah? Will there be an autopsy to determine cause of death?

The police classified it as 'sudden death' - but when a worker dies, really there is a need for an autopsy - the cause of death is relevant - was it caused by by a disease/condition that is connected to his/her working environment/condition, and in the case of a migrant worker the accommodation conditions  provided by the employer? There is such thing known as 'occupational safety and health' - and if the death is caused by employment conditions, then there is liability for the employer, and compensation for the worker. If it is linked, then there may be need to improve the 'protection' for other workers so that they do not die or suffer some ailment caused by the working environment. So much investigations need to be done by various departments ...and if this is the 3rd death, then we may be looking also the failure of the relevant Ministry/Department and also the employer, should we not?

Was the employer holding on to the migrant worker's passport and employment pass, documents needed before government hospitals/clinics would admit and treat foreigners in Malaysia - likewise the migrant worker. So, would it not be the blame of the employer if the worker with breathing difficulty dies because of delay getting medical treatment? 

Now, most migrant workers do not have their own means of transportation - so, when employers house their migrant workers in places far from hospitals/clinics, it is the employer's responsibility to provide vehicles to immediately transport sick migrant workers to hospital/clinics for medical treatment - now, if the employer failed to provide this essential service or transport that could 'rush' their sickly migrant workers to a doctor... naturally, the employer may be responsible for the death.

Company will provide a vehicle and driver on 24 hour standby at the main hostel to facilitate the emergency transportation of worker to hospital for any emergency treatments.- this is what JCY HDD Technology Sdn. Bhd  has agreed to do, in respond to a similar situation

This JCY good practice must be followed by all other employers who use migrant workers, in fact it should be a standard practice(or requirement) for all businesses situated more than 5 Km from the nearest hospital, who maybe employ more than a 100 workers. See the JCY Press release after they resolved the issue with their migrant workers, which also started with a death...

Press Release

In response to the recent foreign workers issues at JCY HDD Technology Sdn. Bhd.’s sub-contractor hostels at Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau IV, Johor Bahru, both the company and the foreign worker representatives have met this afternoon and the issues had been resolved amicably with the workers returning to work immediately.

Among the key issues highlighted by the foreign workers, the management had in conjunction with the sub-contactor for the hostel, shall take remedial actions as summarized below:

1. Company will provide a vehicle and driver on 24 hour standby at the main hostel to facilitate the emergency transportation of worker to hospital for any emergency treatments.

2.The company had agreed to revise and standardize the pay structure of the workers.

3. The criteria for the deduction of salary in relations to worker coming to factory late shall be revised and improved.

4. On top of the normal workmen compensation benefits, the company had agreed to improve the contribution to the beneficiary of the worker.

The management of the company stressed that JCY had always aim to provide a conducive environment for the workers to work and stay. The company will continue to work closely with the hostel’s sub-contractor to take care of the workers welfare and JCY truly valued the contribution made by the workers and staffs to the success of the company.

Photo of company & foreign worker’s representatives after the conclusion of the meeting at JCY’s Tebrau office.

Should you need any additional information or clarification, kindly write tocalvin_lim@jcyinternational.com Source:- http://jcyinternational.com/images/pdf/press%20release%20%2017%20aug%202010.pdf 

Hence, there is a need for a thorough investigation, and questions need to be answered

1- Was the death caused by the negligence or actions/omissions of the employer? If yes, will the Public Prosecutor charge the employer for the death? Will actions be taken by the Ministry of Human Resources?

2 -If  the death is caused by reasons of employment conditions (maybe the lack of personal protective clothing/equipment, etc) - what is the relevant Ministry going to do about this? Will legal actions be taken against the employer? Will the employer be required to improve working conditions to increase safety and health protection of their workers? Wonder whether a proper autopsy was done with regard the earlier deaths ... 

3. If the cause of death is because of the employer's actions/ommissions, then the deceased worker's family would have a legal case against the employer and will be entitled to compensations and damages ... remember even migrant workers do have spouses, children, parents and dependents

4. Did the employer provide for 24-hour driver and vehicle which can transport workers to hospitals in cases of emergency? Really, this should be made a legal requirement - sad to see workers die just because of delay caused getting them to the hospital...

5. Did the death have anything to do with the standard of worker housing - really Malaysia must have laws that stipulate the minimum standards of housing for workers.

 

See also:- 

Did Malaysian Government investigate alleged deaths of workers at Besgrade Products Sdn Bhd?

Workers urge employer to get sick worker healthcare - employer calls police - worker dies - media call it 'Riot"?

Remembering the JCY's 5,000 Workers Protest 2010 - maybe the biggest workers' protest in Malaysia for many years

 

'Probe death of three Nepalis at sawmill'

PSM has lodged a police report, urging investigations into a timber company in Pokok Sena, Kedah, whose alleged negligence led to the death of at least one of three Nepali workers there.

According to central committee member Rani Rasiah (left), the third death on Jan 11 may have been avoided had emergency medical care been provided.

Instead, three of the 200 workers who had gathered outside their employer's residence at the sawmill, urging medical assistance for him, were arrested by the police, she said in a statement.

“They urgently needed to send a fellow-worker, who was having difficulty breathing, to hospital. As there was no public transportation they had to seek their employer’s help.

“The workers were anxious as, just a month earlier, two Nepali workers with similar symptoms had died. Their deaths were classified cryptically as ‘sudden death’.”

Instead of rushing the worker to hospital, their employer contacted the police who dispersed the workers and made the arrests. In the meantime, the ailing worker died.

In its police report, PSM accused the timber company of “criminal negligence” for not providing medical aid to the worker, which resulted in his death.

The party also sought a probe into the cause of all three deaths, to determine if this is linked to exposure of chemicals at the workplace or at the workers' hostel, or food consumption.

“This tragic and totally unacceptable episode raises questions on the irregularities and inadequacies of the departments involved in the procurement and management of migrant workers in Malaysia,” Rani said.

“Why did the police arrest the friends of the victim and not the employer whose inaction led to the worker’s death?

“Was the Department of Safety and Health aware of (the situation) and did they investigate the cause of breathing difficulties and sudden death among the workers?”

She also questioned if autopsies were carried out to determine cause of death, and if the workers' families were compensated.

Malaysiakini has contacted the company and is withholding its name pending its comments.

Workers’ complaints

At a meeting with PSM, the workers had complained about inadequate safety measures at the factory, and claimed that there were no facilities for workers to move in and out of the factory or hostel.

According to a report in The Star, 200 Nepali workers demonstrated at the sawmill in Pokok Sena on Jan 11 for two hours before being dispersed.

Kota Setar Traffic and Public Order chief Mat Akhir Jaafar confirmed that three men were arrested to facilitate investigations.

He also said that the three deaths have been classified as ‘sudden death’. - Malaysiakini, 22/1/2014, 'Probe death of three Nepalis at sawmill'

Source: Charles Hector Blog  

Foreign workers helped build Malaysia, let’s help them in return (The Ant Daily)

Foreign workers helped build Malaysia, let’s help them in return

    

Last updated on 08/01/2014 - 15:09

Posted on 07/01/2014 - 08:00

Alyaa Alhadjri

PETALING JAYA: Much of Malaysia's physical development as a nation should be credited to the hard work of foreign workers. Yes, the nation owes them this much.

From the bygone era of Chinese tin miners and Indian rubber tappers to present-day Indonesian or Bangladeshi construction workers; all of them came to Malaysia in search of a better life by doing jobs that not many of our own were willing to do. 

To accuse them of being a "burden" to the country's healthcare system, without identifying or resolving the root causes of related problems, is grossly unfair. 

Labour activist Charles Hector Fernandez said there should not be any unpaid bills by documented foreign workers at government hospitals as they are insured under the Workmen’s Compensation Act 1952.

"The law is simple (but) the present problem is that employers are paying very little (in insurance premium) to the appointed companies. 

"The law also states that any excess charges (incurred by foreign workers) should be recovered from public funds," Fernandez told theantdaily.

The Workmen’s Compensation Act was amended in 2006, making it compulsory for all employers to insure their foreign workers under the Foreign Workers’ Compensation Scheme at the current annual premium of RM120. 

Failure to do so is an offence punishable with a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

Fernandez noted that the problem is made worst by the fact that foreign workers are charged first class rates for treatment at government hospitals and there were cases where they personally could not afford to settle the bills. 

He was responding to DAP national assistant publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching who raised concerns over what she described as being the "hidden social costs" of hiring foreign workers.

The Kulai MP in a statement claimed that foreign workers have become a "burden" to the country's healthcare system due to their large amount of unpaid bills at government hospitals. 

"In Sabah alone, the unpaid bills by foreign workers have increased from RM21.54 million as at 2011 to RM40.9 million as at April 30, 2013," said Teo in urging the government to come up with a comprehensive plan to address such problems related to foreign workers.

On another issue, Fernandez also described it as "nonsense" for certain quarters to suggest that migrant workers is the cause of an increase in tuberculosis (TB) and other diseases in Malaysia as they are required to undergo two health screenings before being allowed to secure employment. 

"Employers should be held responsible for the working and living conditions of foreign labourers if they have contracted TB and other transmittable diseases.

"These (transmittable) diseases must now be classified as occupational diseases and the migrant worker should be adequately compensated to cover the treatment, and also the loss of earning opportunity when his employment period in Malaysia is suddenly shortened," said Fernandez.

In a posting on his blog, Fernandez cited a Dec 29 report quoting Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Hilmi Yahaya as saying that 20,000 out of 30,000 foreign workers brought into Malaysia had failed the health screening carried out by the ministry. 

Hilmi also reportedly said there were foreign workers who had passed the health screening carried out in their home countries but failed the test here.

"In such cases, the government should call for action to be taken against the recruitment agencies involved in sending workers to Malaysia for compromising the health-screening process," stressed Fernandez. 

He also urged the government to introduce a law to mandate a minimum standard of housing for foreign workers as a preventive measure against the spread of transmittable diseases. 

Instead of taking the easy way out by blaming foreign workers for various social problems in Malaysia, or launching sporadic crackdowns to weed out undocumented migrants, it is high time that the government come up with a cohesive plan to address fundamental issues that will not only benefit the workers, but also be in line with plans to be a developed nation within the next six years. - The Ant Daily, 8/1/2014, Foreign workers helped build Malaysia, let’s help them in return

Did Malaysian Government investigate alleged deaths of migrant workers at Besgrade Products Sdn Bhd?

Did Malaysian Government investigate alleged deaths of workers at Besgrade Products Sdn Bhd?

see related earlier post :- Workers urge employer to get sick worker healthcare - employer calls police - worker dies - media call it 'Riot"?

Migrant workers’ deaths: Government should act against manufacturer

The three deaths in December 2013 at a plywood manufacturer seem to have been a well-kept secret, and it is highly likely, given the latest death, that no one was held accountable, writes Rani Rasiah.

Migrant workers protest over deaths of colleagues

About 8.00pm on 11 January 2014, Nepali workers of the plywood manufacturer Besgrade Products Sdn Bhd in Jabi, Pokok Sena, Kedah, began gathering outside their employer’s residence to urge him to send a fellow worker who was having difficulty breathing to hospital. 

 

The workers were anxious as, just a month earlier, three Nepali workers with similar symptoms had died. Their deaths had been cryptically classified as ‘sudden death’.

Rushing the worker to the hospital or calling an ambulance would have been the expected course of action but unfortunately that didn’t happen. Instead of calling the ambulance, the employer apparently contacted the police. 

The police arrived, dispersed the workers whose numbers had by then grown to near 200, and arrested three of the workers. In the meantime, the worker who had complained of shortness of breath died (The Malaysian Insider, 12 January 2014).

This news item appeared as almost a footnote in our mainstream newspapers. The Malaysian government prides itself on its superior business-friendly environment. For employers, it is great news, but for workers it means low wages and an erosion of rights. Under this arrangement, workers lives are cheap – and those of migrant workers even cheaper. 

The PSM lodged a police report of criminal negligence against the plywood company for allegedly failing to get medical help for the ailing worker, thereby leading to another death. 

The report asked for a police investigation into the cause of the deaths – if they were linked to exposure to chemicals or poison at the workplace or conditions at workers’ hostel – and what action had been taken by Besgrade Products Sdn Bhd after December to prevent further deaths. 

This tragic and totally unacceptable episode raises questions about the apparent irregularities or inadequacies of the departments involved in the procurement and management of migrant workers in Malaysia. 

Why did the police arrest the friends of the victim and not the employer whose inaction led to the worker’s death? The police themselves acknowledged that the workers had gathered peacefully to get help for their friend, thus implying there was no reason for arrest. And so the arrest of three Nepali workers appeared to be unjustified and arbitrary, and merely seemed to confirm the apparently unwritten rule that the police must side with the bosses under any circumstances. 

Was the Department of Safety and Health aware of and did they investigate the cause of breathing difficulties and sudden death among the workers of Besgrade Products? A study would determine if the deaths were linked to the work environment or nutrition or some other cause.

The Immigration Department and Human Resources Ministry are involved in deciding requests for the supply of migrant workers by employers. What was their action on Besgrade Products Sdn Bhd after the deaths in December 2013? 

The three deaths in December at Besgrade Products seem to have been a well-kept secret, and it is highly likely, given the January death, that no one was held accountable. This death too may be swept under the carpet if the victim’s family is quietly compensated and if the company and relevant departments make arrangements to send home workers who fear they may be future victims.

This must not be allowed to happen. Besgrade Products Sdn Bhd, which according to its website, is a major supplier of plywood to both domestic and international markets should be investigated for what alleged inhuman negligence, which contrasts with its hollow-sounding tag line ‘A model plywood manufacturer with a caring heart.’ 

The relevant government departments should investigate and take action under the law to serve as a warning to all employers to respect and value the lives of their workers. - ALIRAN, 20/1/2014, Migrant workers’ deaths: Government should act against manufacturer

Source: Charles Hector Blog

72% of RENESAS workers vote in favour of UNION - finally recognition after almost 4 year struggle

The Electronic Industry Employees Union Western Region, Peninsular Malaysia (EIEUWR)/ Kesatuan Sekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Barat Semenjung  Malaysia(KSIEWBSM) was victorious in the 'secret ballot' when about 72% of the qualified workers at RENESAS Semiconductor KL Sdn Bhd (formerly known as NEC Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd]voted in favour of the Union. The Union will now be recognized, and soon would be able to begin negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The almost 4 year struggle for recognition is over, and we do hope that RENESAS would also do the right thing and reinstate immediately Wan Noorulazhar, the President of the Union.

It would have so much better if employers, like RENESAS, respected worker and trade union rights and immediately accorded recognition to the UNION since 2010 - but sadly, there was resistance to the UNION and thus the need for a 'secret ballot'.  See also:- At last, secret ballot being conducted at RENESAS - UNION or NO UNION?

Joint Statement- 4/4/2013

RENESAS MUST IMMEDIATELY ACCORD RECOGNITION TO THE UNION

AND REINSTATE WAN NOORULAZHAR

We, the 87 undersigned civil society organisations, trade unions and groups call on RENESAS Semiconductor KL Sdn Bhd (formerly known as NEC Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd] to respect the freedom of association and the right to effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining,  being one of the basic rights of workers and one also one of the core values of International Labour Organisation (ILO)'s.  RENESAS must stop obstructing or delaying, and immediately accord recognition to Electronic Industry Employees Union Western Region, Peninsular Malaysia (EIEUWR)/ Kesatuan Sekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Barat Semenjung  Malaysia(KSIEWBSM)[UNION] so that workers at RENESAS can at last begin to enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining agreement.  It has been more than 3 years since the UNION first applied in January 2010 for recognition by RENESAS. 

In Malaysia, after being registered, recognition by the employer is needed before the UNION can start negotiating and enter into any Collective Bargaining Agreement with the employer company. The UNION has to submit a claim for recognition, and within 21 days, the company can accord recognition or not. If not, then the Director General of Industrial Relations (DGIR) steps in and start the process of conducting   a secret ballot to ensure that more than  5o% plus one of the qualified workers is for the union – then the union is accorded recognition, and thereafter can effectively represent the workers.  

Even though  about 70% (1,300) of RENESAS’s workers eligible to be members of the  union were already members of EIEUWR when the first application was made by the UNION to the company for recognition, RENESAS did not accord recognition and after more than 3 years and RENESAS still refuses to recognize the UNION. 

On 18/1/2010, EIEUWR submitted the 1^st application for recognition to RENESAS. The company responded that there was a pro-tem in-house union, which was unregistered, also seeking recognition. The Director General of Industrial Relations (DGIR) rejected this reason. Then, RENESAS claimed  that they did not receive the claim for recognition, when the application had been hand delivered personally by Wan Noorulazhar, the Union President, and RENESAS acknowledged receipt. The DGIR later asked the Union to send again their claim for recognition. 

The 2^nd claim for recognition was submitted on 17/8/2010, this time by acknowledged receipt registered post, and again RENESAS claimed they did not receive it, and the UNION also did not receive back the duly signed acknowledged receipt card from the postal services.

The 3^rd claim for recognition was submitted to RENESAS on 8/10/2010, and this time using the National Courier Poslaju. After receipt of the UNION’s  letter, RENESAS  send it back to Poslaju asking that the letter be returned  to the UNION. Poslaju provided a letter confirming this. RENESAS could not deny receipt this time, and rightfully the DGIR should have done the needful which was to the conduct of a ‘secret ballot’. But, there was inaction on the part of the DGIR for many months despite repeated demands by the UNION, and finally on 12/8/2011, the UNION had a picket in front of the Ministry of Human Resources. The DGIR then informed the UNION that the said relevant documents had been misplaced, and the blame was put on the Deputy DGIR responsible, who allegedly has since then been removed from that position. The DGIR  then asked the Union to submit yet  another  claim for recognition.

The 4^th claim for recognition was made on 8/9/2011. RENESAS’s now challenged the validity of the registration of EIEUWR(the UNION) itself, and the qualification of the UNION’s General Secretary, one Bruno Gentil Pereira. When the Minister rejected this objection on 9/4/2012, RENESAS proceeded to filed a High Court case to challenge the Minister’s decision on 8/5/2012, whereby on 28/6/2012, the High Court dismissed the RENESAS’s  application. RENESAS then appealed to the Court of Appeal who also unanimously dismissed the case on 5/12/2012.

 

After the High Court dismissed RENESAS application on 28/6/2012, there was no court order stopping the DGIR from proceeding with the secret ballot but the DGIR did not do anything.

After much protestation by the Union, the DGIR finally started the process by writing to RENESAS to submit Form B, as required by law, on about 14/12/2012. RENESAS did not comply and a second letter  was sent by the DGIR  on 14/1/2013. RENESAS again did not comply, and now it is believed that  a third letter has been sent by the DGIR.

When, and if the day finally comes for the ‘secret ballot’, the workers entitled to vote would be the workers as of the date the claim was submitted, being 8/9/2011 but with the existence of short-term contracts, many of the pro-union workers may  no more be employees of RENESAS, and this will prejudice the UNION, who still will have to show that it has the support of at least  50% plus one of the number of qualified employees as per the list of qualified employees on 8/9/2011. The tactic of delaying the secret ballot works in favour of the employer, and prejudices the UNION.

Wan Noorulazhar

Wan Noorulazhar bin Mohd Hanafiah, an employee of RENESAS who is the President of the UNION was dismissed on 26/8/2011 by RENESAS whereby the alleged misconduct, was that his actions were ‘contrary to explicit company policies’. He allegedly made statements about treatment of workers in a closed Facebook Group, whose members were fellow workers. The alleged misconduct It had nothing to do with his work performance. The wrongful dismissal case is now before the Industrial court.

The current trend at the Industrial Courts when it makes a finding the worker has been wrongfully dismissed by the employer is not to order reinstatement, but to rather order compensation.  If not reinstated, workers of RENESAS would be deprived of a leader. RENESAS can at any time reinstate  Wan Noorulazhar bin Mohd Hanafiah  without  loss of benefits.  

On 14/3/2013, EIUWR and the workers of RENESAS again had a protest picket at Putrajaya.

We call on RENESAS Semiconductor KL  Sdn  Bhd to immediately accord recognition to Electronic Industry Employees Union Western Region (EIEUWR), and  immediately reinstate Wan Noorulazhar bin Mohd Hanafiah and all other worker leaders terminated.

Senator Syed Shahir bin Syed Mohamud

Charles Hector

Mohd Roszeli bin Majid

Pranom Somwong

Badrulzaman bin Mohd Ghazali

For and on behalf the 87 organisations listed below

ALIRAN

Andhra Pradesh State Domestic Workers' Union, India

Asia Monitor Resource Centre(AMRC)

Asia  Pacific  Forum on Women , Law and Development ( APWLD)

Asia Floor Wage Alliance- SEA Office

Building and Wood Workers International Asia Pacific Regional Office (BWI APRO)

Center for Migrant Advocacy ,Philippines

Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) Sri Lanka

Center for Orang  Asli Concerns (COAC)

CIMS- Centre for Indian Migrant Studies

Clean Clothes Campaign

Committee for Asian Women, Bangkok

Community Action Network (CAN), Malaysia

Confederation of Free Trade Unions of India

Dignity International

GoodElectronics

GoodElectronics Thailand (GET)

Hope Workers' Center, Taiwan

Hsinchu Catholic Diocese Migrants and Immigrants Service Center (HMISC), Taiwan

Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com

IDWN( International  Domestic Workers’  Network)

IMA Research Foundation, Bangladesh

International Campaign for Responsible Technology, US

International League of Peoples' Struggle – Canada

Legal Support for Children and Women (LSCW), Cambodia

LIPS (Lembaga Informasi Perburuhan Sedane/Sedane Labour Resource Centre) Indonesia

MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)

Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility

MAP Foundation, Thailand

Maquiladora Health & Safety Support Network, Berkeley, CA  USA

Migrant Care

Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA)

Migrant Forum India (MF India)

Migrant Forum Lanka (MFL)

Migrants Rights Council India

Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organization Malaysia (MERHROM)

NAMM (Network of Action for Migrants in Malaysia)

NDWM -  National Domestic Workers' Movement, India

NLD-LA (National League for Democracy-Liberated Areas), Malaysia

Pakistan Rural Workers Social Welfare Organization (PRWSWO)

Parti Rakyat Malaysia(PRM)

People & Planet, UK

Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)

PINAY Quebec

Progressive Labor Union of Domestic Workers- Hong Kong

PSWS (Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor)

Pusat KOMAS (KOMAS)

Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU), Bangladesh

SALT (School of Acting Justly Loving Tenderly and Walking Humbly)

SBMI (Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia)

Solidarity of Cavite Workers (SCW), Philippines

State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation (SERC), Thailand

State Railway Workers' Union of Thailand (SRU), Thailand

SUARAM (Suara Rakyat Malaysia)

Tenaganita, Malaysia

The Alliance of Progressive Labor - Hong Kong

Tourism Employees Association of Maldives

Women's Rehabilitation Center (WOREC) Nepal

Workers Assistance Center, Inc, Philippines

Workers Hub For Change (WH4C)

Women Workers Lead

Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)

Youth For Peace/Peace Institute of Cambodia (YFP/PIC)

Malaysian Unions

Kesatuan Sekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Timur Semenanjung Malaysia (KSIEWTSM)

Kesatuan Sekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Selatan Semenanjung Malaysia

Kesatuan Sekerja Pekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Utara

Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja MHS Aviation Berhad

Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Polyplastics Asia Pacific

Paper & Paper Products Manufacturing Employees' Union Of Malaysia (PPPMEU)

TNBJOU (TNB Junior Officers Union), Malaysia

Malayan Technical Services Union (MTSU)

NUBE (National Union of Banking Employees), Malaysia

Association of Maybank Executive

Kesatuan Kebangsaan Pekerja Pekerja Perusahaan Alat Alat Pengangkutan Dan Sekutu(NUTEAIW)

Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Dalam Perkhidmatan Perubatan Dan Kesihatan Swasta-[Union Of Employees In Private Medical And Health Services]

Kesatuan Eksekutif Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn.Bhd.

Electrical Industry Workers' Union (EIWU)

Kesatuan Pekerja Pekerja Fujikura Federal Cables Sdn Bhd

Kesatuan Pekerja Pekerja Kelab Semenanjung Malaysia

Kesatuan Eksekutif Airod (KEA)

UNI Global Union-Malaysia

MTUC Pahang

MTUC Penang Division

MTUC Bahagian Melaka

Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Cawangan Pulau Pinang

MTUC Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan

Thai people, civil society and human rights defenders call on Cambodia to respect human rights.

On 10/1/2014 at 10.00am, about 100 people gathered in front of the Embassy of the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia in Bangkok to protest the injustice, violence and human rights violations happening to workers, farmers and persons in Cambodia. Amongst those that protested included activist from the 4 Regions Slum Network, Action Network for Migrants(ANM), Try-Arm Worker Social Enterprise Group, Workers Hub For Change(WH4C), Migration Working Group, Thai Labour Campaign, Unionist from Rangsit Area, 24 June Democracy Network, Human Rights Development Foundation, Turn Left, Thai Suzuki Union, Postal Workers Union of New Zealand, Thammasat Freedom for Democracy group ,ILAW, FOCUS, Social Institute Chulalongkorn University, Worker Community Development and Savings( Kor OR Chor ), Forum Asia, Freedom House, Protection International Thailand, Asia Pacific Women Law and Development(APWLD), Human Rights and Development Foundation, Mekong Migration Network(MMN), Clean Cloth Campaign(CCC),CARAM-ASIA ,GAATW and many other human rights 
defenders.

 

The group said that they were shocked at the manner in which the Cambodian government has dealt with the legitimate protest of Cambodian garment workers from about 500 factories who are demanding an increase of minimum wages to USD160 per month from the current low amount of USD80 per month. The use of violence, the arresting of legitimate protestors and worse the killing of at least 4 persons was strongly condemned.
 

They urged the Cambodian government to respect the legitimate right for freedom of expression and assembly, and the right to strike. They urged the Cambodian government to immediately investigate arrest and prosecute all those police & security personnel who ordered and/or used violence, including those that caused the death of the 4 persons.

They urge the Cambodian government to immediately and unconditionally release all workers and protesters who were exercising their legitimate right to protest and strike. They also urged the Cambodian government to immediately account for the over 20 persons who are listed as missing. Many of these were allegedly last seen to have been arrested but are now said to be missing. They called on the Cambodian government must respect worker rights and human rights.

The groups brought with them a letter of protest addressed to Her Excellency Mrs. You Ay, Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia to Thailand, which was first read out both in Thai and English. The 4 Regions Slum Network of Thailand further also extended their solidarity with the poor, working class and the people of Cambodia in this difficult time, whilst reiterating their condemnation of the Cambodian government in their use of force and violence.

 

The joint letter of protest was receive by one Mr Sopin SawatSok , for and on behalf of the Ambassador. Mr Sopin said that they will as soon as possible submit the letter and the expressed concerns of the protesters to the leadership in Phnom Penh. 


For more information please contact Pranom Somwong( Bee), Tel +66831887600 or p_somwong@yahoo.com

*

Credit photos from Four regions slum network