ALLOWING migrant workers to join unions makes it pointless to hire them, according to some employers.

An employer, who declined to be named, said one of the main reasons companies hired foreigners was because they did not have the same "baggage" of Malaysians in terms of wages and employee rights.

"Basically, one of the main reasons we hire them is because they don't join unions and create havoc. If union memberships are opened to them, it will deter any abuse of workers.

"However, it will also deter employers from hiring foreigners altogether."

The man added that getting migrant workers into unions was unnecessary.
"Embassies are beginning to be more proactive in looking after their welfare."

He also said the various problems, including non-payment of wages and abuse, could be tackled if the agreements between employers and workers were tightly and fairly formulated.

"However, the problem is that most of the workers are illiterate and don't know what it is they put their thumbprint to," he said.

Some form of compensation, he said, should be paid to the employees in the event of termination and a government body -- preferably the Immigration Department -- should be proactive in making sure the agreement was adhered to.