27
large construction projects; Use of registration deposits to repay wages (Migrant
Justice Institute, 2021)
Establish a system under which the employer makes regular monthly payment of
the Indemnity (end of service benefit) to the Social Insurance Organisation or similar
body under the government in the country of destination so that the employer does
not face the liquidity problem to pay the employees with long service and the
employees get their dues automatically without waiting for the mercy of the
employer.
Non payment of wages, non renewal of visa or any other breach of contract on the
part of the empoloyer should be considered as a valid legal ground for an employee
to be eligible for local mobility (change of job to another employer) without the
need to obtain the consent of the employer.
Private Sector :
Companies should consider the consequences of lay-offs and other employment
measures on the visa status of migrant workers and facilitate the transfer of workers
to other employers in cases where this is possible, without withholding entitlements
or levying any penalties. (Migrant Forum in Asia, 2021)
During the recovery period, companies should prioritise reinstating repatriated
workers who lost their jobs due to the pandemic before carrying out any new
recruitment. (Migrant Forum in Asia, 2021)
Civil Society
Engage migrant workers and local communities in addressing shortcomings of the
current migration system, adopting an inclusive approach to avoid hostilities between
host communities and returned migrant workers and offering support in the design of
locally led solutions as well as representation in the definition of national legislation.
(Migrant Forum in Asia, 2021)
In moving forward, it is important to leverage the positive force of the media, both
print and digital, can be an effective tool for the sensitization of the public on the issue
of wage theft and migrant workers’ plights, and at the same time help raise awareness
among migrant workers of their rights and available remedies against violations.
(Migrant Forum in Asia, 2021)
Disclaimer: The figures, statistics within the report are based upon the limited documentation of cases
submitted to the JFWT platform or separately to MFA. It does not intend to implicate any country,
government, industry, employer, etc.