HUMAN Resources Minister M. Kula Segaran should not plead ignorance to reports of Putrajaya agreeing to bring in up to 150,000 Pakistan nationals to work as security guards, said Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).

MTUC secretary-general J. Solomon said the minister should verify news reports on the matter instead of saying such a decision could have been taken by the Home Ministry.

He said the influx of foreign workers will affect the rights and interest of the public, and job security of Malaysians.

“As the minister of human resources, he should be the first person to seek clarification from the Home Ministry and not leave the task to the media,” Solomon said in a statement.

The unionist reminded Kula Segaran that under the current procedures for employing foreigners, the first step is to apply to the Human Resources Ministry for approval.

He also said Kula Segaran needs to show more responsibility and not merely repeat his claims that there are allegedly enough well-paying jobs for Malaysians.

Solomon said the influx of Pakistan workers can worsen the issues on the increasing number of foreign immigrants with low-paying salaries in the country.

“An influx of Pakistanis, especially for sensitive jobs such as security guards is also worrisome to ordinary Malaysians.”

Solomon said the decision poses serious questions on the need to farm out such jobs to low-skilled foreigners.

“Foreign workers in Malaysia have long been victims of poor wages and deplorable living conditions in the absence of sound policies to deal with Malaysia’s growing dependence on low-skilled migrant workers.

“Time and again these workers have been exploited by unscrupulous employers and a government that has remained oblivious to their plight.”

Solomon said the socio economic impact of foreign migrants has hit the Malaysian people hard and the situation is worsening despite a new government sworn in May 2018.

“Bringing in tens of thousands of low-skilled Pakistanis who will be paid at best a minimum monthly wage of RM1,200 prior to the slew of salary deductions and entrusting them with the security of neighbourhoods, public and private buildings, and banks is a daunting thought.

“More so when the minister of human resources does not see the necessity to obtain more information on the matter from his counterparts in the government or more rightly, bring it up at the next cabinet meeting.” – February 12, 2020.