THERE was an interesting letter that appeared in Malaysiakini stating that the Malaysian Trade Unions Congress’ (MTUC) position on undocumented foreign workers was spot on.

MTUC secretary-general J. Solomon said the government should look towards undocumented foreign workers already in the country to plug any gap in the supply of labour.

According to the writer, it would serve as the most practical and humane approach. While this approach is humane and practical in the current context, in the long term it will not resolve the fundamental dilemma of vested interests in the process of employing foreign workers.

The issue of undocumented foreign workers should be seen from a strategic, national and human perspective that would not only serve Malaysia’s domestic needs but also from a global perspective as a responsible nation toward the oppressed and suffering.

The existence of illegal foreign workers in the country is not only due to those who were cheated of their employment by unscrupulous employers and corrupted legal and institutional system of the past, but also undocumented foreigners who entered the country and work illegally through

clandestine networks that could change the demography of the nation.

One such example, is how the large project IC in Sabah in the 80s that was distributed to non-indigenous people from foreign countries resulting in demographic change in the state, that has served the political agenda of Muslim ethno religious politicians in the state and the federal level. There are complex dynamics at play on foreign worker issues that cannot be merely narrowed down to shortage of workers for industries.

Over the years, there had been various efforts by the previous Barisan National government to legalise undocumented workers. The question is what was the outcome of these efforts and the current status of illegal immigrants in the country? The present unresolved issues related to the shortage of workers and undocumented workers is due to a narrowed focus that serves the vested interests of the owners of capital instead of analysing the issue comprehensively from a national perspective.

In this context it would be better to deport undocumented workers and put a complete stop to illegal immigrants entering the country through unscrupulous employers and lax enforcement system.

As a solution, the Pakatan Harapan government should take a far more innovative approach that serves the national interest. One of those is to provide refugees the right to work, which is a universal global practice. Currently Malaysia hosts more than 170,000 refugees from Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Somalia and beyond.

In the Political Manifesto of Pakatan Harapan, it promises to legitimise refugee status by providing UNHCR cards and ensuring refugees legal right to work. They added that their work rights will be on par with locals, indicating a commitment to equality under the law. This means their income will be in par with Malaysians who are doing the same job. This alternative is far more concrete since it takes the foreign workers shortage and undocumented immigrants issues away from self-serving politicians, employers and a corrupt system that has not been fully transparent to this very day.

It also provides a legitimate and rational reasoning to the existence of foreign workers in this country. This would also finally do away with foreign workers agents who earns through cheap labour exploitation.

Therefore, it’s time for the PH government to gradually deport undocumented foreign workers and give refugees the right to work. This approach will put a stop to vested interests who are hell bent in preserving the status quo.

Allowing refugees to work would certainly be a spot on in terms of human rights besides eradicating institutional flaws that only serves the interest of self-serving employers and corrupt government officials. – July 28, 2019.

* Ronald Benjamin is Association for Community and Dialogue secretary and reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.