World Economic Crisis Hits Burmese Workers in Malaysia

By Min Lwin

Hundreds of Burmese legally employed in Malaysia are returning home after losing their jobs because of the worldwide economic downturn.

Ye Min Tun, of the Malaysia-based organization Burma Workers' Rights Protection, told The Irrawaddy that more than 300 Burmese migrant workers had returned to Burma in late November, paid off by their employers because of falling orders.

Hundreds of others faced dismissal before the Chinese New Year, Ye Min Tu said. Those still employed were experiencing cuts in pay and overtime.

About one third of the 300-strong Burmese work force at one leading aluminum factory, Press Metal Berhad, were repatriated on November 27 and 30, according to Burmese workers at the Kalang plant.

"Orders for new consignments dropped after the onset of the world financial crisis and impacted us very badly,” said one Burmese worker.

An official of Press Metal Berhad refused to comment when contacted on Tuesday by The Irrawaddy.

Dismissed workers say employers are paying them no compensation. Nor had employers given sacked workers any indication of whether they could reclaim their jobs if the world economy improved, Ye Min Tu said.

According to Burmese sources in Malaysia, migrant workers have to pay agents up to 1.6 million kyat (US $1,200) to secure jobs there. Many were being dismissed before they had earned enough money to cover agent fees.

Malaysia has been a popular destination for Burmese workers since the 1990s. Several hundred thousand are said to be working in restaurants, on construction sites, rubber plantations and in factories.