In “Malaysia’s plan to give refugees its worst jobs amounts to a human rights ‘facade’: activists”, by Hadi Azmi in the South China Morning Post, explains Malaysia’s new proposal.
They are allowing UN-registered refugees to work in “3D” jobs.
Malaysia does not have any legislative or administrative framework for refugees. An
estimated 180,000 UNHCR recognized refugees call Malaysia home. Most are Rohingya Muslims who were forced to flee Myanmar. Malaysian law prevents registered refugees from formal employment, forcing them to seek work from the informal sector. This leaves them open to abuse and exploitation.
Malaysia is considering providing the country’s refugees with formal employment opportunities. These would be limited to jobs Malaysians don’t want, which are mainly dependent on migrant workers. These include the manufacturing, mining and construction sectors. These have poor pay and are stigmatized.
This plan does not recognize that some refugees were professionals and the value they can add to the labor market and economy. Depriving the country of needed skills, abilities and training that make up the refugee population, this plan limits the opportunities of refugees.
Malaysia has a weak economy; they have been struggling to fill professional and technical jobs. Malaysia is victim to the brain drain, with its youth seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Negative sentiment towards refugees is felt all over Myanmar as several people recount their experience as a refugee living in Myanmar in the article. Public perception of refugees is of people who don’t contribute to the country’s development and are economic opportunities. Since the 180,000 refugees make up 1.2% of the population, it is unlikely legalizing refugees will have broad macroeconomic implications.
Public sentiment and slow governmental action on refugee issues illustrate a historically rooted fear of foreigners. European colonial influence was first introduced by the Portuguese in 1511. Then the Dutch ruled over the 17th and 18th centuries. The British then took over, limiting the Dutch to the East Indies which became Indonesia. The colonial economy generated a wave of Chinese and Indian immigration.
Colonial scars have left Malaysia hypersensitive to ideas of an influx of immigrants. With no infrastructure to deal with refugees in an area increasingly affected by climate crisis disasters, Myanmar leaves itself ill prepared to deal with the changing global challenges of the modern-day.
“Malaysia’s plan to give refugees its worst jobs amounts to a human rights ‘facade’: activists”
South China Morning Post
Hadi Azmi
8/11/23