Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
This suggestion was made by the Kuala Lumpur-based head of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Volker Turk today.</p>
<p>"Why not use the existing refugee population that cannot be deported anyway
for economic purposes?
<p>"Some of them are already working anyway, illegally, to gain a source
of income. Why not legalise and regularise that?" he told a UN-sponsored
conference on migration and refugee issues.</p>
<p>Allowing refugees to seek legal employment would benefit Malaysia’s economy
and demonstrate its humanitarian credentials, he said.</p>
<p>He said Malaysia is in need of some 500,000 workers following its crackdown
on illegal immigrants launched earlier this year.</p>
<p>According to Turk, there are some 50,000 refugees in the country. They include
about 20,000 from the restive Indonesian province of Aceh and 10,000 Rohingyas
from Burma. The rest are ethnic Chin Burmese and Nepalese.</p>
<p>Both the Muslim Rohingyas and Christian Chins fled their country following
alleged persecution by the ruling military regime.</p>
<p>He also noted that Malaysia had launched "a desperate search" for
new foreign workers from Pakistan and elsewhere.</p>
<p><b>No constructive policy</b></p>
<p>"This could be a long-run humanitarian, security and economic effort for
Malaysia to allow the refugees to enter into the work sectors here," Turk
was quoted as saying by Bernama.</p>
<p>"The government has announced that it will allow temporary residence status
to the Rohingyas which allows them to work legally and have access to education
and medical benefits. However, this has yet to be implemented. Many (Rohingya)
children have no educational opportunities at all," he added.</p>
<p>He said UNHCR supports and awaits the implementation of the government’s decision.
It also hopes that the government will eventually extend this to all refugees
here.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Prof KS Jomo, the UN assistant secretary-general for economic development,
said Malaysia as an importer of labour must formulate a constructive police
to manage foreign workers.</p>
<p>"Malaysia does not have an effective migrational policy although it has
a large foreign population," said the New York-based official.</p>
<p>"This is not good for the economy and the nation’s image. It must be addressed
in a more constructive manner," said the former University Malaya lecturer.</p>
<p>Malaysia is not a signatory to 1951 Refugee Convention and does not recognise
those accorded with refugee or asylum status.</p>
<p>Over the years, authorities have detained those in possession with protection
letters from the UNHCR.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com