Malaysia intends to carry out the recruitment of migrant workers via online as a way to reduce costs, says the Human Resources Ministry.

Opening the 8th Asean Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML) in Kuala Lumpur today, Minister Richard Riot Jaem said this method could also prevent workers from having to face the issue of debt bondage.

Labour Department director-general Mohd Jeffrey Joakim read out his speech text.

“Employers and workers shall comply with the strict liability principles such as providing accommodation with basic amenities, minimum wage, medical examination and compliance of international labour standards,” he said.

The minister also highlighted the drop in the industrial accident rate in the country from 5.84 cases per every 1000 workers in 2004 to 3.1 cases in 2014, “a rate that clearly proves the seriousness of the government in addressing the issue at stake”.

“This reduction is a reflection of the commitment and joint efforts by the government, employers and workers to reduce workplace accidents.

“Therefore, migrant workers should be feeling safe, working in Malaysia as we treat local and migrant workers under our Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 equally in terms of rights without any discrimination,” he said.

The two-day AFML themed, ‘Empowering the Asean Community through Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers’, which started today sees the participation of 150 representatives from the 10 Asean nations.

- Bernama