March 23, 2006	Thursday	Safar 22, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, March 22: Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said the Malaysian government would ensure the implementation of the employment contract of Pakistani workers with Malaysian employers to provide them conducive working environment.

This he stated after meeting an eight-member delegation headed by secretary-general Malaysian ministry of human resources Dr P. Monogran here on Wednesday.

He said the issue of violation and breach of the contract came under discussion, adding that less salary, non-payment of overtime, unfair deduction of payment on account of electricity bills, safety equipment and uniforms were undesirable and a violation of the employment contract.

He said unavailability of jobs with the employers and lack of residential and kitchen facilities were also creating problems for the Pakistani workers.

The minister said after the signing of an MoU, Pakistan had received a demand for 18,000 workers, out of whom 10,000 had been sent while the process to send the remaining was being worked out. He said the government would ensure the process of imparting training to the workers before sending them to Malaysia.

He said the Malaysian delegation had assured him that the issues raised by Pakistan would be addressed properly. He said the Malaysian delegation told him that the Pakistani workers were facing certain problems because of their entry into the new market.

Dr Monogran stressed the need for strengthening relations between the two countries. He said the Malaysian government would address the difficulties faced by the Pakistani workers.

Director General Manpower, Malaysia, Ismail Haji Abdul Rehman stressed the provision of a list of Pakistani workers going to Malaysia so that the labour department could ensure the implementation of the employment contract.

He said there were regional offices where any Pakistani could lodge complaints against the employer.