KUALA LUMPUR: The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) has called for the dignity, human and labour rights of migrant workers in Malaysia to be respected and safeguarded.
Hakam deputy president Datuk Seri M. Ramachelvam said the contributions of migrant workers to the development and economy of Malaysia is undeniably immense since their arrival in the 1980s.
"During the lockdown in Malaysia, migrant workers served as frontliners alongside Malaysians, in, amongst others, health, transportation and food services to make our lives more bearable. We salute all frontliners who unselfishly served the nation in this time of need," he said in conjunction with International Migrants Day, today.
He said the Covid-19 pandemic has affected, and continues to affect, Malaysians and migrants alike. However, the migrant population has been disproportionately affected by arbitrary job terminations, wage cuts, unpaid wages, forced leave, involuntary repatriation, discrimination and xenophobia.
Ramachelvam said many are stranded without their source of income after companies shut, some permanently, while others declared bankruptcy. With flights grounded and international borders closed, migrants have no avenue to return home.
He added while migrant workers have always faced constant discrimination and exploitation, the pandemic only highlights and amplifies the vulnerability of the population further.
"Hakam observed that xenophobia in Malaysia during the Covid-19 pandemic has hit an all-time high, with many anti-migrant statements and policies against migrants and refugee populations. The immigration raids during the pandemic also, regrettably, caused Covid-19 clusters in immigration detentions".
Ramachelvam said as a member of the United Nations and signatory to key human rights and labour conventions and international standards, the Malaysian government should not use the pandemic as an excuse to renege on its obligations to protect the rights of migrant workers in the country.
Hakam urges the government to:
• Make public the report of the Independent Committee on the Management of Foreign Workers and implement the recommendations therein;
• Closely monitor businesses' adherence to housing regulations and labour laws including ensuring that migrants are not forcibly returned home without due process;
• Expedite the release and repatriation of all detained migrants in detention;
• Cease the detention of undocumented migrants and allow them to avail themselves of recalibration programmes to legalise or return;
• Work with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its quest to drive out corruption in all enforcement agencies;
• Accede to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec 18, 1990 which recognises and guarantees respect for the dignity and rights of all migrants, regardless of their national origin or immigration status;
• Adopt the Domestic Workers' Convention 2011 (C189) and enact a National Domestic Workers Act to recognise domestic workers as workers and provide them with fundamental workers' rights;
• Adopt the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (C190) to protect all individuals in the world of work;
• Implement provisions of the Asean Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers and the Asean Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers as well as the recommendations from thirteen Asean Forum on Migrant Labour conferences; and
• Adhere to the principles in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration wherein Malaysia is a signatory.