AS the movement control order (MCO) enters the third phase, migrant workers across the country are wondering how much longer they can scrape by without a job and means to buy food.

Most of the foreigners in the Klang Valley and Johor to whom The Malaysian Insight spoke said they are running out of ways to make ends meet.

They complained that without employment it is impossible to send money to their families at home who are in the same predicament – jobless and in lockdown.

No aid has been forthcoming from welfare groups or the Malaysian government for the 200-odd workers at a construction site in Setia Alam, near Shah Alam, in Selangor. 

The workers said they have applied to their employer for advance payment to send some money home.

“We asked for an advance so that we can send some money back. We have not been working since the MCO was imposed and as such we have run out of money,” said 40-year-old Abdus Samad from Bangladesh.

“Our families are also suffering back home. They barely have enough to eat and are also under lockdown.”

Bangladesh has imposed a nationwide lockdown until April 25 after 621 cases of Covid-19 with 34 deaths were reported in the country. A curfew is also in effect from 6pm to 6am daily.

“My family are also under a movement restriction order. If I don’t send them money, how will they buy things to eat?” Abdus said.

Abdus, who spoke for his co-workers in Setia Alam, said many of them are worried they will not be able to make it till the end of the month.

“If we don’t work, we don’t have money. For now we can ask for an advance but for how long? We also need money for ourselves.

“If the restriction order is extended until May, I don’t think we can make it without any work. What can we do, we have no options.”

Some of the workers collect money among themselves to buy daily rations.

With the little they have, they buy bread, potatoes, onions, rice and other essentials.

Kalam Ismail, 30, has pooled his money with five friends to purchase groceries.

“We are not working. We just laze around, stare at our handphones, talk… and we repeat the same routine the next day,” Kalam said.

“We each contribute RM5 and with that money we buy what we can to eat. If there are leftovers, we will not collect money the next day. We will eat yesterday’s food.

“If I could change things, I would just wish to be able to work to earn money to send home. Without work, my friends and I can’t survive and if this goes on, we don’t how how we will live.”

‘In the same boat’

Sudi Hasan, also a construction worker in Setia Alam, said he has eaten only a meal a day since the government ordered a shutdown on March 18.

He said all building work has been put on hold and the company is not providing the workers with any assistance.

“If only I could work part time, but there is nothing I can do at the moment. All non-essential sectors are closed.

“I eat once a day to save money. Thank God my wife and kids went back earlier this year otherwise they would not be able to survive with me not working.

On whether help is available from the Bangladesh High Commission, Sudi said there is none.

“For now I have enough to eat, but I still have to send money home. Even if I want to go home, how will I manage that? I need to have at least some savings and for that I need to work.

“All of us staying in this ‘kongsi’ are in the same boat.”

Another worker who did not want to be named said they have idled for nearly a month.

“All we do is to rest and call our families back home. We cannot go home even if we want to. We are stuck here,” said the man.

Abdus said no one has stepped forward to aid the migrant workers in Setia Alam.

Abdus’ brother, Shaikh Islam, who works in Johor Baru, has the same sorry tale to share.

Shaikh said he and his compatriots are worried about their future in Malaysia.

“We paid thousands of ringgit to come here to work. Some of us only just arrived six months ago.

“These newcomers were trying to save money to pay their creditors but are now forced to use the money to live.

“We are trying to explore new options but there seems to be none for us. The restriction order means we cannot move about for if we are caught by the police, that is another big problem for us. So we have to stay put,” Shaikh told The Malaysian Insight.

The MCO has been extended yet again until April 28 to break the transmission of Covid-19.

Cases of infection now number 4,987 and the toll has reached 82 in Malaysia.

Under the MCO, non-essential work, which includes construction, is not allowed.

Many stranded in rural areas

Migrant rights group Tenaganita said it has received many complaints from foreign workers who are starving.

Group director Aegile Fernandez, said most of these workers are in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

“Construction workers and manufacturing workers are badly affected. They can’t go to work therefore they are not paid and as a result, they do not have money to buy food.

“The situation in rural areas are worse than in urban areas. They are stranded in remote areas with less help, or no help at all. At least in urban areas, there are local groups that are starting initiatives to help migrant workers.

“At Tenaganita we are trying our best to locate migrant workers in rural areas who are in need of help. We have so far identified groups in Kedah, Perak and Johor,” said Aegile.

The veteran activist urged employers to lend aid to their workers caught in a dire situation.

“We have contacted some employers and have received positive feedback.”

Aegile said some workers have told her they are permitted to stay in the factories where food is provided.

“Some factories have resumed operation and the workers are allowed to stay there instead of having to commute to work. Food is also supplied.

“However, there are still many more living in terrible conditions because they have no money and no assistance.”

There are a lucky few who have kept their jobs.

Mila, a 40-year-old cleaner from Indonesia, considers herself lucky to hold a job that is considered essential service.

“My company is still operating. I consider myself lucky. I can earn money and survive,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

“Some of my friends in other sectors have not worked for almost a month. They are barely surviving. If this is prolonged, I don’t know how they will be able to go on.

“I would love to help them but as a cleaner with scant wages, I can’t do much.”

Dev, a security guard from Nepal, is another worker who still has a job.

“I couldn’t be more grateful. At the same time I feel sorry for those who can’t get to work and earn money.

“It is unfortunate for them as I know they are hardworkers trying to make a living.

“At the moment they still have some money to buy groceries and essentials, but for how long more?” – April 15, 2020.