Malaysia - one of Asia's largest employers of foreign workers - is mulling a counselling service to deal with their complaints such as the non-payment of salaries.

Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn said today the move follows complaints that some employers are withholding salaries and ignoring terms and conditions in work contracts.

"We know that in the past there have been a lot of misunderstandings and reports of workers not getting their salaries so we want a channel to address this," he told AFP .

"Basically we want to ensure working conditions in this country as prescribed," he said.

Malaysia employs some 1.8 million foreign workers out of a 10.3 million workforce, mainly in the manufacturing, plantation and construction sectors, and as maids.

Indonesians make up two-thirds of foreign workers, followed by Nepalese and Indian nationals. Malaysia also employs workers from Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Myanmar and Pakistan.

Common complaint

Migrant workers' rights group Tenaganita said salary-related problems were were the most common complaints.

"Unpaid wages is the most number of complaints we receive every year, followed up by unfair dismissal," said a spokesperson.

"Malaysia does not have a minimum wages policy so another common complaint is low wages are being paid - much lower than what was promised," she added. Fong said the proposed counselling unit will deal "especially with payment of late salaries and terms and conditions of employment not being fulfilled."

"It would be a unit in which the foreign workers, if they have any problems they could ring up and try and find people who are skilled in their mother tongue and will listen to them," he said.