Covid-19: Neglecting migrant workers may backfire, think-tank study shows
CORONAVIRUS | Going beyond human rights argument for the protection of migrant workers, the latest study by local think-tank Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) has suggested that there are also practical aspects to ensuring their welfare.
As the world wages war against Covid-19, KRI argued that failure to protect migrant workers would have an impact on public health and the economy, as already seen in neighbouring Singapore.
"Neglecting the basic healthcare needs of any human is a perfect incubator for a wider community spread.
"It risks straining the public healthcare system and lengthening lockdowns that hurt firms and workers," noted the three researchers - Tan Theng Theng, Nazihah Muhamad Noor and Jarud Romadan Khalidi - in the conclusion of their...
KRI and other foreigners loving NGOs must understand one thing, that foreigners are guests in Malaysia. If they had became burden to the country, just send them back. It is not our duty to take care of them and their well being. Many will argue with me about this. For an example, in Middle East where is the bastion of Islam, foreign workers and the locals dont mix much and once these foreigners become burden to the country, they will be send back immediately. Malaysia should practice the same thing. This what UAE is doing now for retrenched workers due to COVID-19. They are been send back to their home country rather than roaming in UAE.
"To counter the problem, the institute said it is crucial that Malaysia moves from detention to a treatment model of controlling infection among migrant workers". Undocumented and/or illegal foreign workers should be detained and deported period.If they are infected,they would be treated before deportation so what is the beef?As for those who are in Malaysia legally, yes our government and employers should house them in reasonable accommodations without cramping them but we should be like Singapore where they are housed in places where they could be traced and not simply everywhere! Article should address the issue of corruption in the importation of foreign workers and the responsibilities of their agents and employers.
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