Undocumented migrants: LFL blasts minister over legalisation brush-off
Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has criticised Human Resources Minister M Saravanan who dismissed the idea of legalising undocumented workers as “stupid”.
The NGO’s director Zaid Malek described the minister’s move as “outrageous and disappointing” given that Saravanan had previously expressed the government’s commitment to tackle forced labour.
"The minister’s reaction is...
Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has criticised Human Resources Minister M Saravanan who dismissed the legalisation of undocumented workers as a “stupid idea”.
The NGO’s director Zaid Malek described the minister’s move as “outrageous and disappointing” given that Saravanan had previously expressed the government’s commitment to tackle forced labour.
"The minister’s reaction is simplistic, superficial and ignores the root causes of the entry of undocumented migrants into the country.
"Undocumented migrants are largely victims of circumstances beyond their control; they are not deliberate offenders against our immigration laws. Having been duped by deceitful agents or unscrupulous employers, they have become ‘illegal’ as a result," he said in a statement.
Last week, Saravanan (above) told a press conference that the best action is to deport the undocumented migrants to their original country so that there will be no issues especially involving Malaysia’s labour force.
“It is a 'stupid' idea to give. We should not do anything that encourages undocumented migrants to come to our country,” he said.
Victims of trafficking
Given the manner and treatment the workers sometimes receive here, Zaid said they could be considered as trafficked victims.
"As such, simply deporting them would be cruel and unjust as it would be placing fault on those exploited whilst the agents and employers responsible escape with a slap on the wrist.
"The gravity of deportation of undocumented migrants also must be fully appreciated; most of them have incurred great financial costs or taken out hefty loans for the opportunity to work here; thus deporting them may cause grave financial ruin, or even worse, physical violence and death at the hands of unforgiving loan sharks," he added.
Endless cycle
Zaid also reminded Saravanan that a large portion of Malaysia's economic sector is reliant on migrant workers.
"Deporting them in swathes would create a vacuum in our labour force which would, in turn, necessitate us to bring in more migrant workers to replace them, thus creating the cycle of undocumented workers again.
"It would be easier, more humane and more cost-effective to legalise those who are readily available here.
"The government must face the fact that the majority of undocumented migrants in our country are a result of our inadequate labour policies and weak or corrupt enforcement, and embark upon a comprehensive and practical solution to this long-standing problem," he added.
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