Migrant workers in Malaysia fight for their rights

In the last few weeks there has been a spate of industrial action by migrant workers in Malaysia over pay and conditions. Like in the rest of the world, migrant workers in Malaysia can be used as cheaper labour due to their weak bargaining power and insecure residence status. The catalyst for this latest wave of strikes was the announcement by the Malaysian government of an increase to the minimum wage, but this would only apply to local workers. Strikes by migrant workers broke out in many locations across a range of industries.

In the last few weeks there has been a spate of industrial action by migrant workers in Malaysia over pay and conditions. Like in the rest of the world, migrant workers in Malaysia can be used as cheaper labour due to their weak bargaining power and insecure residence status. The catalyst for this latest wave of strikes was the announcement by the Malaysian government of an increase to the minimum wage, but this would only apply to local workers. Strikes by migrant workers broke out in many locations across a range of industries.