Authorities to blame for plight of migrant workers

The Malaysian government has again deported Indonesian illegal workers, which has added to the unemployment issues here. The Jakarta Post's Medan correspondent, Apriadi Gunawan, spoke with Arif Nasution, who has written several books on migrant workers such as Orang Indonesia di Malaysia: Menjual Kemiskinan, Membangun Identitas (Indonesians in Malaysia: Selling poverty, establishing identity), to discuss the issue. Having researched the subject for six years, the Sumatera Utara University professor is considered one of the foremost authorities on the migrant worker issue. Below is an excerpt from the interview.

Question: What is your view on the Malaysian government's latest move to deport illegal Indonesian workers?

Answer: First, unlike in the 1980s and 1990s, the number of infrastructure development projects in Malaysia that require unskilled workers has been declining.

Second, better organized labor exporters from other countries like the Philippines, Bangladesh, India and Thailand may have been behind the Malaysian government's policy.

Within the context of Malaysia's decreasing demand for unskilled workers, there is nothing wrong with the move. On the other hand, the Indonesian government has not been serious in "marketing" our workers, especially the skilled ones. Things have been poorly managed.

Many say that the government -- the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration -- has not taken appropriate steps to control the outflow of illegal migrant workers to Malaysia.

Exactly. Has the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration ever been serious in handling this matter? Instead, the ministry has financially exploited illegal migrant workers for their own benefit.

What about the Indonesian Embassy's role in this matter? Who is most responsible for this problem?

I believe the embassy has also added to the exploitation of job seekers. The legalization of Indonesian workers some time ago could be cited as an example of this exploitation: Embassy staff used the opportunity to exploit workers instead of facilitating them with proper documentation.

The problem should not be blamed only on the government or the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration, but also on our embassy in Malaysia.

High unemployment at home is always cited as the reason for illegal migrant workers. What is your comment on this?

In a way, I don't agree with that assumption. But the outflow of illegal migrant workers is not merely because the government has failed to provide citizens with jobs: We need to focus on why people love going to Malaysia.

It's really because of the intense provocation of labor agents and brokers who lure job seekers (with promises).

Another compelling factor is that many of them have relatives living in Malaysia. Cultural factors, including language, is another one.

How far can agents and brokers influence migrant workers to choose Malaysia?

Many government officials, including those at the Indonesian Embassy and the manpower ministry, act as brokers or work for agents.

It's no wonder that the government has done nothing significant -- aside from the usual rhetoric -- to help workers.

I once met with Minister (of Manpower and Transmigration) Jacob Nuwa Wea. He introduced a program to manage exporting workers, but I found out it was just a pseudo-plan.

I daresay there was some scheme involving officials of the manpower ministry. And I believe the minister knew about this.

So what must the government do to stop the outflow of illegal migrant workers?

First, the government has to set up clear and concrete programs on labor exports.

Second, the law must be upheld properly -- meaning that those found guilty of sending illegal workers must be taken to court and punished.

Third, the government must provide jobs at home in the near future. The government must improve the economic climate at home so people will not seek work elsewhere.

Finally, our human resources must be improved, so that we send only skilled workers abroad for good jobs.

There have been reports of many Indonesian workers dying in Malaysia. Do you think this is a trend, or are they isolated incidents?

Many Indonesian workers have died in Malaysia since 1985. However, the issue was not reported proportionately, probably due to a mutual commitment between the two governments.

When I was in Malaysia for academic research, there were various incidents involving Malaysian authorities, but our government did not respond seriously. Media coverage was not as broad as it is now.

Several years ago, incidents involving Indonesian workers were frequent in Johor, Malaka and areas of Klang. Some of them were abused by their employers.

Are you saying that conditions may no longer be conducive for Indonesian migrant workers there?

I would say so. But it is a paradox because (even so) many Indonesian workers still prefer working illegally in Malaysia to working in Singapore or other countries.

But now, the need for Indonesian workers is declining, so no one can guarantee them jobs. There are times when labor exporters cheat workers, which leaves them without the employment they were promised. Many female workers have also been abused and forced into prostitution.

What about those who have been forced to work in red-light districts?

Many of them work in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Sabah, Serawak. A few work as prostitutes in other areas.

But, frankly we cannot talk in detail about such abuse. We don't have up-to-date data. Many female workers may have gone to Malaysia to work as housemaids, but later became sex workers on their own volition for economic reasons.