Migrant Worker Handbook – Malaysia

The following resource is a handbook designed to help migrants workers in Malaysia understand their legal rights.

It is a useful guidebook for individuals and for agencies and individuals offering assistance to migrant workers published by the JUMP Network.

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Table of Contents:

1. Introduction

2. Documents Required

3. I-Kad (Jalan Kad)

4. Foreign Workers Compensation Scheme

5. Passport

6. Types of Agent

7. Contracts and Work Permit

8. Levy

9. Payments, Rest Days, Public Holidays, Annual Leave and Overtime

10. Termination of Contract

11. Health Issues

12. Trade Unions and Strikes

13. Sexual Harassment

14. Domestic Work

15. Rights on Arrest

16. Trafficking

17. Love and Marriage

Helpful Information:

In case of an emergency, it will be handy if you have the following telephone numbers in your hand phone. Put them in NOW. You will be happy you did!
• Your employer’s number
• Your Embassy number
• Nearest police station number (Malaysian police stations have posters giving numbers and contacts)
• If you are a refugee: UNHCR Hotline 012 630 60 60
• If you are trafficked or know of a trafficked person: Trafficking hotline: 012 335 05 12
• If you are a domestic worker: the hotline for domestic workers in distress: 012 335 05 12

Note: international telephone code for Malaysia is +60.

Caution: You are cautioned to consider all possible consequences before asserting rights against an employer/agent. It is important to note that the current legislative environment in Malaysia puts you at a considerable disadvantage when you attempt to assert your rights against an employer/agent or any Malaysian authority. Often this includes the employer/agent terminating your Work Permit prematurely resulting in you having to return to your country of origin even before the hearing dates come up. While there are ways and means to overcome this, every migrant worker pursuing his/her rights must be fully aware that this is not a task for the faint-hearted or those who are easily discouraged. That is why it is important to get help and advice.

 

About The Booklet:

Translation: This booklet is or will be translated in different languages by volunteers. In case of any dispute or for any reason whatsoever, the English version will prevail and the publisher does not take any responsibility whatsoever for the translated versions.

Release date: 1st English edition – January 2011.
Updated Booklet: If you would like to check for an updated version of this booklet in English or other languages, please contact:
• Penang Office of Human Development: Tel: 04-2273405
• Tenaganita/Camsa Penang: Tel: 04-2294413 (from 2pm till 7pm)
• Ywam Penang: Tel: 04-2638748

JUMP – (Jaringan Utara Migrasi dan Pelarian or Northern Network for Migration and Refugees) is a network of groups and individuals who work together to ensure an environment which is welcoming, respectful, supportive of the basic human rights of migrants and refugees (woman, men and their communities) in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, and promotes their empowerment and self-determination. JUMP has its base in Penang.

Disclaimer: Although JUMP has made every effort to ensure that the information contained herein was correct at the time of publication, JUMP does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability whatsoever to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. JUMP strongly encourages any party to seek proper professional advice.

Booklet Publisher: JUMP – Jaringan Utara Migrasi & Pelarian (Northern Network for Migration and Refugees). Secretariat: Penang Office of Human Development: Pusat Kueskupan Katolik, 290 Jalan Macalister, 10450 Penang.

Download the Read On Screen Version

Download the Printable Version and freely print, copy and distribute the booklet.