Authorities to blame for plight of migrant workers

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.