Port reform, South Asian migrant workers and spaces of vulnerability in Port Klang, Malaysia

Abstract

The corporatisation of Port Klang from the mid-1980s onwards was a significant moment in the history of Malaysia's political economy and generated considerable momentum for the changes that were to occur in this late industrialising nation under the leadership of the Barisan Nasional government. In particular, the restructuring of how labour was organised in Malaysia's most significant port became frequently cited both within and outside the country as a model for tripartite labour privatisation and the well-managed divestment of state-owned enterprises. However, in the past decade, the organisation of labour in the port has again changed dramatically. Migrant labour from some of the poorest parts of Asia now makes up the majority of semi-skilled and unskilled workers. Based on fieldwork carried out during 2009 with workers from Bangladesh and Nepal who are employed in Port Klang, this paper suggested that a regulatory vacuum now exists in the port, which means foreign workers are often treated badly and have few avenues for dissent. An analysis of the changing labour regime in Port Klang over time can assist in understanding the contemporary political economy of Malaysia as well as illuminate debates about the spaces of migrant labour more broadly.

Utilization of Health Care Services among Migrant Workers in Malaysia

“…Existing literature highlights a serious problem in Malaysia faced by migrants through injury and accidents in the workplace (Hill, 2012). A survey of foreign workers' perceptions of working in Malaysia (Abdul-Aziz, 2001) revealed their dissatisfaction in various areas, such as accident compensation (26%), health services (24.8%), work safety (13.4%), wage levels (16.9%), and insurance (46.4%).…”

“…On many occasions, when the workers become injured in the workplace, the company has been found to be reluctant to provide adequate health services after the accident. This is evidenced by Hill (2012) who conducted a study on migrants' vulnerability in Port Klang, Malaysia, the respondents being unskilled dock-workers from Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. According to Hill (2012), these workers "frequently lack effective representation, live in cramped and challenging conditions, experience accidents as part of dangerous work (for which there is insufficient compensatory action taken by the employers), and are frequently paid far less than their local counterparts".…”

The Power of Disruptive Protest in Driving Reform: Explaining the Failed case of Labour in Malaysia

“…They are regarded as second-class citizens and second-class workers. They often work in cramped and dangerous conditions and are paid less than their local counterparts (Hill, 2012). They are prohibited from joining unions by employers (Crinis, 2010).…”

Purchasing Social Responsibility Activities in Malaysia: A focus in Labour, Health, and Safety

“…Devadason, 2011;E. S. Devadason & Meng;Hill, 2012;Kanapathy & Office, 2008;Malaysia, 2009;Nike, 2007-9;Wahyono, 2005Wahyono, /2006. This is in line with the previous research which mentioned that purchasing managers need to pay more attention to suppliers' labour issues (Antonio, 2011).…”