India, Malaysia to ink MoU on workers' rights

The government today said it would enter into an agreement with Malaysia to protect the rights of Indian emigrant workers.

The move comes after the recent protests by Indian workers in Malaysia on their deplorable working conditions.

The Union Cabinet, which met here today, gave the go-ahead for India to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia, covering emigrant workers, especially the unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers.

The key feature of the MoU is the protection and welfare of all categories of workers under the labour laws and other relevant laws of the host country.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said a comprehensive, acceptable and definitive understanding was needed between India and Malaysia.

A government release said the condition of Indian workers in Malaysia is far from satisfactory.

"Complaints about ill-treatment and exploitation of workers have been received in the past. It is, therefore, important to enter into a formal MoU with the Malaysian government to lay down a framework of bilateral co-operation for the promotion of employment and protection and welfare of our workers," the statement added.

The MoU provides for the constitution of a joint working group to oversee its implementation, review employment opportunities and explore new avenues for co-operation in the field of labour and manpower development.

The proposed agreement also aims to evolve broad procedures for employment of workers, defining responsibilities of employers, workers and recruitment agencies.

SMP for sugarcane up

In a move aimed at ensuring a minimum price for sugarcane growers, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave its approval to the statutory minimum price (SMP) for sugarcane at Rs 81.18 per quintal for the 2008-09 sugar season, up from the current Rs 80.25 per quintal.

This will be payable to farmers during the next season starting from October 2008.