KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider SKP Resources Bhd (SKP) said on Wednesday (Dec 8) that the company and migrant worker rights specialist Andy Hall are already in discussions to further enhance the welfare of foreign labour in its employment.

In a bourse filing, the company acknowledged that Hall had received a complaint from workers of SKP’s unit SPI Plastic Industries (M) Sdn Bhd concerning excessive overtime and payment of recruitment fees, and had proactively reached out to him immediately.

SKP said it has established a “constructive working relationship” with Hall to discuss matters concerning its migrant worker management systems.

“I am happy that the management of SKP shares my concerns and we have already had a very positive and constructive discussion on the subject of migrant workers’ welfare, following the company’s effort to proactively reach out to me,

“We have discussed the issues I raised and I am confident SKP will address these issues and remain open to address the other challenges that remain in the company’s management of migrant workers, for the betterment of the workers and the company,” said Hall.

According to him, this is based on mutual understanding to uphold the welfare of the workforce involved in SKP’s production process.

“I again welcome this constructive engagement from a leading Malaysian EMS company, which creates a win-win situation for all parties,” he said.

Meanwhile, SKP’s executive director Ivan Gan also said the company has great emphasis on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives.

“It is our emphasis to continue our initiatives to implement sustainability principles into the business operations of the group. We are committed to sustainable growth and maintaining high standards of governance to meet our ESG responsibilities.

“We have already had positive conversations together and SKP is very much looking forward to further discussions and constructive communication, which
we believe will be beneficial to both the company and the well-being of our migrant workers.

“We appreciate and understand the concerns brought up with a wholly positive intention by Hall. In response, as a responsible corporate citizen, SKP is open to work with independent and external, professional and well-respected parties who can add value and further strengthen our ESG initiatives, especially
as concerns the enhancement of the welfare of our migrant workers,” he said.  

SKP closed 19 sen or 10.8% lower at RM1.57 on Wednesday (Dec 8), valuing the group at RM2.75 billion.

Year-to-date, the counter has fallen 10.29%.