LABOR PROBLEMS IN MALAYSIA: EMBASSY FACILITIES

DELUGED WITH OFWS SEEKING REFUGE

15 January 2008 -- Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Victoriano Lecaros reported to the Department of Foreign   Affairs that the Filipino Workers' Resource Center (FWRC) in Kuala Lumpur is reeling from the burden of providing shelter and assistance to OFWs having problems with their employment in Malaysia.

 As of 14 January, a total of 71 Filipino workers – nearly half of them men – are housed at the center.

The distressed OFWs arrived in different groups seeking refuge at the embassy just as embassy staff are preparing the facilities for another year of training courses for OFWs in Kuala Lumpur and environs.

The stories recounted by these OFWs have a common thread: Philippine and Malaysian agencies charged them excessive placement fees and substituted new contracts to supplant those that previously met Philippine government standards.  Other violations were unexpected salary deductions and being made to work 12-hour shifts while getting paid for only 8 hours, not to mention threats and other acts of harassment.

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is appealing to Filipinos applying for work in Malaysia to be wary of recruitment agencies committing aforementioned violations, and to do a background check on these agencies before applying for employment here.  END

/wingret

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