KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to bring back Cambodian workers and domestic helpers after two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed with the country today.
Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said during the signing ceremony that the MoU on the Recruitment and Employment of Workers and the MoU on the Recruitment and Employment of Domestic Workers would ensure a smooth process of recruitment, employment and repatriation of workers and domestic workers.
Both MoUs, he said are in accordance with the existing national legislation and is essential to ensure that workers are protected under our laws.
“Both MoUs, are inline with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) principle.The MoUs (will) ensure that the process of recruitment, employment and repatriation shall be managed systematically with the primary objective of protecting the rights of workers.
He added that the purpose of having both MoUs was to avoid forced labour and human trafficking issues.
Richard added that the signing of these MoUs would also further strengthen diplomatic ties between both countries especially in labour development.
Prime Minister Hun Sen in October 2011 had suspended Cambodia’s sending domestic workers to Malaysia after a raft of reports of domestic worker abuse by both Malaysian employers and Cambodian recruitment agencies.
The MoUs were signed by Richard and Cambodia Labour and Vocational and Training minister Ith Samheng and witnessed by Human Resources ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim and secretary of state Othsman Hassan.