Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Is Wee trying to revive political career, asks Santiago

FMT:


Is Wee trying to revive

political career, asks

Santiago

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Former Klang MP Charles Santiago describes the MCA president’s opposition to foreign workers contributing to EPF as ‘populist’.

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Free Malaysia Today
Charles Santiago accused Wee Ka Siong of not wanting foreign workers to be treated fairly or enjoy the same incentives as Malaysians.

PETALING JAYA
DAP’s Charles Santiago has questioned MCA president Wee Ka Siong’s opposition to the proposed plans to allow foreign workers to make EPF contributions, wondering if it is an attempt by the former minister to revive his political career.

Santiago, who has been a vocal supporter of migrant rights, branded Wee’s call for the government to abandon said plans as “populist”.

Yesterday, Wee expressed concern that the move would raise labour costs and possibly increase inflation.

He also argued that it could see foreigners enjoy EPF’s yearly dividends.

In a statement today, Santiago asked: “Is this archaic thinking? Is Wee simply trying to revive his political career by making a populist statement?”

The former Klang MP said pension schemes offer invaluable social protection to millions of migrant workers in the country.

Making EPF deductions mandatory for them creates an equitable labour market in line with international standards, he said.

Santiago accused Wee of not wanting foreign workers to be treated fairly or enjoy the same incentives as Malaysians.

“What he overlooks is that many Malaysian workers abroad similarly benefit from fair social protection and portable benefits,” he said.

Santiago said while Malaysia has yet to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, the Employment Act 1955 affords equal labour protection for migrant and Malaysian workers.

He said obligations under such conventions and local law cover the estimated 2.4 million documented workers from Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh and India.

Santiago said allowing EPF deductions is a move towards honouring the country’s pledge of ratifying key human rights instruments when it vied for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for 2022-2024.

“Wee needs to think carefully before making statements that undermine social protection for migrants,” he said.

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