There are quite a number of small and medium industry (SMI) employers who employ foreign workers as production operators and provide them with housing within the manufacturing plant or factory premises.

Can you imagine being accommodated within factory premises where they can be exploited to work at any time beyond their normal work hours? With factories generally situated so far away from the nearest town, this greatly affects their social life, to the extent of placing workers under tremendous stress.

It is no wonder that foreign workers get involved in unnecessary fights, since they are confined within poor conditions. How can the government allow employers to dehumanise these workers? This is a serious violation of human rights.

It is high time the Human Resource Ministry comes out with minimum legislation on housing standards for foreign workers similar to the legislation for the plantation sector.

Malaysia, as a country on the road to developed status, should not tolerate employers who exploit foreign workers and compel them to stay in deplorable conditions. This is akin to modern form of slavery, with a pittance for wages.

The ministry has not been proactive especially when it comes to the welfare of the foreign workers. The labour department's performance has been dismal, employing the excuse of 'manpower shortage' as to why they are unable to undertake statutory inspections.

Can Human Resource Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn outline strategies for provision of housing for foreign workers in all sectors other than the plantation sector?