Labour Demand Met by Refugees or Foreigners?

Pakistan is naturally elated that Malaysia needs up to 150,000 low-skilled workers as security guards. Pakistan earned USD23 billion in remittances in 2019.

We used to import Nepalese as security guards. At least, we did not fear a security risk by employing them. But why use foreign labour when there are retired police personnel or army veterans? Unless their salary demand is way above the Nepalese or now the Pakistanis. But why Pakistan? It is a known terrorist “hotbed” – ask India, they will give you a detailed explanation of the workings of ISI (Inter Services Intelligence).

The present broken system fosters corruption, exploitation and abuse of power. Then there is the plight of over 178,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Malaysia. Why not use them, if the retired army or police folks are not interested? It is a time for us to have a framework for refugees with opportunity to work, access to healthcare and education.

The think tank IDEAS in a report dated April 2019 reached the following key conclusions:

(i)       grant refugees the right to work, which will have a positive impact on the economy and public finances. Their contribution to annual GDP could increase to over RM3 billion by 2024;

(ii)       refugees could potentially create 4,000 jobs for Malaysia;

(iii)      tax contribution could increase to over RM50 million by 2024;

(iv)      it is part of the PH manifesto; and

(v)      in the longer term, GDP contribution and tax payments will be substantial.

We also have a pool of undocumented migrant workers and that’s shown below:

So do we need the Pakistani contribution? Unless we are going for shariah compliant, Wahabbi police force on our streets!

References:

1.       Give priority to refugees instead of importing more foreign labour, Dennis Ignatius, FMT

2.       The economic impact of granting refugees in Malaysia the right to work, Laurence Todd, Adli Amirullah, Wan Ya Shin, IDEAS