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Better
Management of Indonesian (Cheap) Migrant Workers in Malaysia
Might Benefit Both Countries
By
D. Manggala (March 5, 2005)
The issue of illegal Indonesian workers in Malaysia is not
new; in fact the mass deportation in this first quarter of
2005 is the second biggest after similar situation in 2002.
From a quick look, the case is quite simple: Malaysia needs
workers for constructions, manufacturing or agricultures areas;
Indonesia has a large pool of unskilled workers. The demand-supply
meets and it creates the labor market between the two neighbour
countries.
The problem is because both governments failed to regulate
or manage that labor market. Indonesian government seems unable
to control the flow of workers to Malaysia; most of the workers
sent by many private institutions/labor exporters are illegal.
To make the situation more complex there is an ugly conspiration
between tekong (this is the migrant agent) and government
officers to use the situation for their own profit.
On the other side, Malaysia's government seems only glad
to have their economy grow fast enough without acknowledge
there is a significant contribution from the cheap (but illegal)
workers from the surrounding countries, mostly from Indonesia.
From about 3.5 million Indonesian workers in Malaysia, almost
2.5 millions of them are illegal [1]. By punsihing only the
illegal workers without the same fair and just treatment to
their employers, it is not only will fail to solve the problem
but also raise a new issue because of "nationality pride"
issue. The worst example of this is the "Hire Indonesian
Last" policy declared by Mahathir Mohammad back in 2002.
Now, with the amnesty to free Indonesian illegal workers
from any legal consequences if the workers leave Malaysia,
there are still more than 300 thousands workers decided to
stay. Why? Because they have not been paid by their employers
for more than four months. In this situation, we have to concern
about the workers because of many parties take advantage of
their illegal status.
We need to understand why Kuala Lumpur took the strong approach.
Here are the two main reasons:
1. To protect employment for Malaysians during the current
economy downturn.
2. Indonesian workers are associated with the increasing
crimes in Malaysia. About 36% of prison inmates in Malaysia
are Indonesian[2]. Even worse, there is indication of the
linkage of terrorists network with Indonesian illegal workers
in the country (notes- this is ironic because the two
most dangerous terrorists who, according to Indonesian official
governments, responsible for the three biggest bombings in
Indonesia are from Malaysia).
By deciding to "flush out" all illegal workers
from Malaysia, there has been consequences for Malaysian industries,
especially the construction. Kuala Lumpur Convention Center
has been delayed due to labor shortage. There are some other
reports, according to Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn,
that some agriculture and food sectors have closed their operation
also because of labor shortage[3].
For Indonesia, this problem will certainly add employement
problems in addition to the current slow growth in job market.
Not to mention the loss of additional income from the workers'
contributions to their family.
So, who win in this situation?
Despite the efforts from both governments to solve this issue,
there should be a better management approach to be developed.
Some of the efforts such as the coordination between Indonesia-Malaysia
officials in One Roof Center (ORC) to help illegal workers
to get their legal status must be continued and sustained.
There are some issues such as eliminating the bad workers
agents who have long story in creating this problem should
be taken more seriously by Indonesian government. These agents,
who took payment from the workers, are the ones who lure many
villagers, promising big salary and better live, providing
the workers fake passports or other illegal means. Better
selection of the workers and the possibility to train them
prior to departure should be managed. The association that
"Indonesians are criminals" in Malaysia is the result
of historical bad management from Indonesia sides. From the
other side, Malaysia must put strong law enforcement to bad
employers who keep hiring illegal workers (especially the
employers wh have NOT paid their workers).
With better management, the labor shortage in Malaysia will
be solved, while Indonesia will be happily send its workers
to its neighbour country. Isn't it the very basic idea of
international trade?
From a more strategic view, the collaboration of ASEAN members
to integrate their market should be taken seriously. The example
of how European Union regulate their labor flows should be
taken into consideration by officials within ASEAN.
Without the commitment to integrate within ASEAN, how could
it compete with the great China to attract foreign investment?
Works cited
[1] "The Wahid Institute Ready For Bridging RI-Malaysia
on Labor." Accessed 5 Mar 2005 from <http://www.gusdur.net>
[2] Liow, Joseph. "Desecuritising the 'Illegal Indonesian
Migrant Worker' Problem in Malaysia's Relations with Indonesia.
Accessed 5 Mar 2005 from <http://www.ntu.edu.sg>
[3] Jegathesan, M. "Crackdown on illegals hurts Malaysian
industry " Accessed 5 Mar 2005, result from <http://www.google.com> |
