MCA president has 'an archaic thought pattern' says Santiago

FORMER Klang MP Charles Santiago has taken offence to MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong's attacks on the move to provide legalised foreign workers with the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) social protection.

Santiago said that he read with disappointment Wee's attempt to spew "venom" on the proposal to allow foreign workers to have EPF deductions for their social protection or when they retire.

"I read Wee’s statement with absolute disgust. As the nation gears to celebrate Deepavali, the festival of lights, the MCA president seems adamant to lure even more darkness into the future of migrant workers.," said Santiago in a statement.

Pension schemes offer invaluable social protection to millions of migrant workers in the country. 

Making EPF deductions mandatory creates an equitable labour market, in line with international standards, said the National Water Services Commission chairperson. 

"But Wee doesn’t seem to want foreign workers to be treated fairly or enjoy the same incentives as Malaysians. What he overlooks, however, is that many Malaysian workers abroad would similarly benefit from fair social protection and portable benefits."

He alleged that, unlike Singapore, the country wanted to focus on the welfare of people who have come to do back - breaking jobs so their families back home can afford decent meals, healthcare and education. 

"Is this an archaic thought pattern or is Wee simply trying to revive his political career by making a populist statement? 

"The 2007 ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers makes it obligatory for the ten member countries to strengthen protection for foreign workers."

To ensure a fairer employment system, the Declaration on Portability of Social Security Benefits for Migrant Workers was introduced two years back to enable migrant workers to transfer their social security benefits across ASEAN member states, Santiago noted.

"While Malaysia has yet to ratify the International Convention on The Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW), our Employment Act 1955 affords equal labour protection for migrant and Malaysian workers. "

Obligations under these Conventions and local law cover the estimated 2.4 million documented workers from Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos in Southeast Asia plus other Asian countries such as Bangladesh and India.  

As it is, there is much work to be done to ensure the rights of migrant workers in Malaysia are protected. 

As such, allowing EPF deductions must be a move towards honouring Malaysia's pledge of ratifying key human rights instruments, when vying for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for 2022-2024. 

So, Wee needs to think carefully before making statements that undermine social protection for migrants, said Santiago. 

And he must be told that pitting migrant workers against Malaysians to score quick brownie points for political longevity is vile, added Santiago.

Wee took to social media to illustrate that making it mandatory for foreign workers to contribute to the EPF is the wrong move.

He said that doing so would enable foreigners to enjoy the incentives given to EPF alongside Malaysians.

Taking the Singaporean counterpart of EPF, the Central Provident Fund (CPF), as a comparison, Dr Wee said that Singapore had done away with foreign worker accounts.

"It is quite weird that Singapore is going in one direction and Malaysia is going in the opposite. The Singaporean government wants to focus on the welfare of its people, not foreign workers," said Wee. - October 30, 2024.