THE government should vaccinate all migrant workers regardless of status to ensure that Malaysia achieves its goal of herd immunity by December, said think tank Iman Research.

The organisation, which works on protective security and community resilience, said the crackdown on migrant workers is not guided by science or compassion.

“Iman Research is very concerned that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision is not guided by science and compassion, as this will further endanger the lives of Malaysians and non-Malaysians, while further delaying the country’s exit from this crisis,” it said in a statement.

Last week, Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin said that the government will round up migrants during the lockdown period from June 1 to June 14 to ensure that they are vaccinated.

According to data from the Department of Statistics, in 2017, there were 2.27 million documented migrant workers in Malaysia, while there were 1.2 million who were undocumented or overstayed.

However, unofficial numbers suggest that there might be up to 4 million undocumented workers nationwide.

“Migrant workers, be it documented or undocumented, are the backbone of our economy and they are critical for our post-Covid recovery.

“They are integrated into our communities; they access the same public services, and work side by side with Malaysians,” said the think tank.

It added that threatening to round up the vulnerable group will only instil fear and distrust from the whole migrant community towards authorities and therefore hampering any vaccination efforts.

Iman Research implored the government to put a moratorium on detaining undocumented migrant workers until the pandemic is dealt with and also to work with civil society organisations to help vaccinate the group.

“Work with civil society organisations and employers to ensure vaccination of migrant workers instead of rounding them up. It is in the interest of the economy and employers for their workers to be vaccinated. This will also help in alleviating fear and distrust.”

In an Immigration Department raid at a hostel in Cyberjaya on Monday night, 156 undocumented workers were detained.

The raid follows Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin’s recent announcement that undocumented migrants would be rounded up during the 14-day lockdown period.

Director-general of Immigration Khairul Dzaimee Daud said from among 202 foreign labourers screened, only 46 were released, while the rest were apprehended for not possessing valid documentation. – June 8, 2021.