Embedded Files
"We can't live without them, but no one wants to admit it."
Introduction: The Backbone of a Nation?
Introduction: The Backbone of a Nation?
"They build our homes, care for our children, and harvest our food - yet they remain on the margins"
Brunei and Malaysia relies on migrant workers to help with their economies.
There are approx. 2-3 million migrant workers in Malaysia which makes up 30% of the workforce.
In Brunei, the migrant population is nearly 25% of its total population.
From working in construction sites to households, migrant workers are the force behind our everyday lives. However, questions still arise about their rights, treatment and conditions.
This site explores:
Dependence on Migrant Workers
Challenges Faced by Migrant Workers
Limited Rights and Work Permit Systems
Citizenship and the Disposable Migrant Narrative
Keywords: Statistics, working conditions, hierarchy of rights, desired and disposable migrants
URL: https://sites.google.com/view/thedependenceonmigrant/home
1) Dependence on Migrant Workers
Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam
Brunei foreign workers increase over the years.
increase from 65,579 in 2019
to 75,402 in 2023
Construction sector:
21,515 individuals (approx. 83% of the overall workforce)
Agriculture:
3,521 individuals (approx. 75% of the overall workforce)
Manufacturing:
7,929 individuals (approx. 63% of the overall workforce)
Services:
11,361 individuals (approx. 63% of the overall workforce)
Wholesale & Retail:
14,908 individuals (approx. 55% of the overall workforce)
Malaysia
Malaysia
at least 2 million from Indonesia & Bangladesh
over 30% foreign workers in the agriculture sector
over 20% in construction and manufacturing sector
Despite 2020 restrictions, most migrant workers are in manufacturing and services (1.5 million total).
Manufacturing and Services had the highest migrant worker presence result in 63%
reliance on migrant labor is growing, even with sector limits.
migrant workers remain a vital part of the workforce, underscoring the need for proper protections.
Why Local Labor Isn't Filling These Jobs: wage gap, job preference.. etc
local and migrant doing different jobs
migrant workers mostly seen as lower-educated & low-skilled workers
migrant workers often offered to risk and difficult jobs
Brunei vs Malaysia
Brunei
Foreign workers count about 25% of total labor force in Brunei.
Deep reliant on workers from neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and South Asian nations.
Registered migrant workers must have insurance covers basic health healthcare and services by their employers
Often experience cultural adaptation challenges due to language barriers
Malaysia
Between 2.0 to 5.5 million documented and undocumented migrant workers.
Migrant workers includes mix ethics group majority Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Myanmar.
Many migrants lack access to essential rights such as subsidized healthcare.
Follow by different nationalities of migrant workers.
2) Challenges Faced by Migrant Workers
Overview:
Working conditions of migrant workers in Brunei and Malaysia
Abuse and Exploitation of foreign workers
Actions that are being taken to avoid exploitations
Working conditions of foreign workers in Brunei and Malaysia:
Employers take advantage of the workers by:
keeping them in debt
refusing to pay their wages
holding on to their passports
physically abusing them
Long hours and insufficient rest:
Migrant workers work without adequate rest or overtime pay.
Some of the workers would work a 12 hours shift, 7 days a week without rest.
Abuse and Exploitations of foreign workers: Physical and Emotional Impact
Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam
There are approx. 75,402 foreign workers in Brunei
Migrant workers are exploited by traffickers that force them into situations like unpaid labor, debt traps, physical abuse or confinement.
Most of the Bangladeshi migrant workers complained they are not being paid and their contacts changes unfairly.
Malaysia
Malaysia
Undocumented migrants who seeks for medical treatment at the hospital will be reported by the hospital staffs to immigration officials. Because of this, migrants are afraid to go to the hospital despite the treatment is crucial for them.
Migrants who are pregnant or diagnosed will illnesses like Tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS would be deported.
Physical Impact
Physical Impact
Low-wage and domestic migrant workers face poor working conditions like long hours and physical abuse including overcrowded or unsafe housings.
Withheld wages, trapped in debt and passports taken makes the workers trapped in their jobs which can results in malnutrition, fatigue and declining health.
Reports of physical abuse and coercion are common among migrant women who are forced into sex trafficking or domestic servitude.
Emotional Impact
Emotional Impact
Due to constant abuse, coercion or exploitation, makes the migrant workers suffer mental distress such as anxiety & depression. These are also caused by fear of retaliation and lack of justice.
Due to the lack of legal protections and government support, further worsens their emotional suffering, making them feel uncertain, powerless and trapped.
Actions that are being taken to avoid exploitation:
Actions taken in Brunei
Actions taken in Brunei
The Brunei government has established an interagency anti-trafficking committee. This committee have regular meetings in order to assess and review their efforts throughout.
The interagency team also aims to investigate any potential trafficking cases and dedicated funding for both male and female trafficking shelters.
Public relations task force was set up to raise awareness of trafficking and labor issues.
A media outlet run by the government published 5 articles focused on human trafficking and the labor rights. This aims to raise public awareness and educate the citizens on the rights of the foreign workers.
The government collaborated with a non-governmental organization to produce sample employment contract translated into the migrant workers' native languages.
Actions taken in Malaysia
Actions taken in Malaysia
The Ministry of Home Affairs led the MAPO council in quarterly meetings in order to coordinate anti-trafficking efforts and oversee the implementation of the government's 2021-2025 National Action Plan.
Authorities have installed 22 anti trafficking billboards and distributing multilingual brochures to raise awareness across communities.
In Kuala Lumpur International Airport, labor officials display banners which contains information in multiple languages to educate the foreign workers about their rights in Malaysia.
In 2018, an anti-trafficking hotline was established aimed to report abuse or seek help.
NGO websites that advocate to human trafficking: SHUT & SUHAKAM
3) Limited Rights and Work Permits:
3) Limited Rights and Work Permits:
Overview:
Overview:
Legal Protections for Foreign Workers in Malaysia
How Malaysia Views Disposable Migrants
How Brunei Views Foreign Workers
Deserving Migrants and Underserving Migrants in Brunei
Legal Protections for Foreign Workers in Malaysia:
The Employment Act 1955:
The Employment Act 1955:
An act to ensure foreign workers entitled to equal rights, fair treatment and protect workers against any discrimination at workplace.
Industrial Relations Act and the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act:
Industrial Relations Act and the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act:
Foreign workers are safe and conductive in working environment, protecting them from any harassment and exploitation.
Minimum Wages Order:
Minimum Wages Order:
Foreign workers are protected against wage violations from the Labour Department which allows workers to file in complaints and has the right to seek for compensations.
Industrial Relations Department:
Industrial Relations Department:
Malaysian authorities are committed to enforcing labor rights and ensuring fair treatment for all workers by offering mediation services in case of employer violations.
How Malaysia Views Disposable Migrants:
Hierarchy of Rights: Prioritizes non-citizens with more "potential" by granting them greater rights and integration while restricting rights and integration for those with less "potential."
Flexibility of control: The state retains control, allowing it to reduce surplus labor during downturns and expand the workforce in prosperous times while preventing long-term integration.
Cheap labor: The availability of cheap labor enabled employers to keep wages low and stay competitive.
Strict laws towards foreign workers:
Medically certified as fit, free of communicable diseases, and for women to not get pregnant to renew their immigration passes.
Prohibited from marrying or bringing their families in Malaysia.
They cannot own property.
They are not allowed to leave and re-enter freely on their immigration passes.
They are ineligible for permanent residency.
How Brunei Views Foreign Workers:
Healthcare: Outpatient required to pay only BND3 for registration and cost of medical treatments are now free for non-residents.
Transportations: Employer must provide transportation costs after the completion of a contract service to their home country and provide accommodation if there is any layover needed.
Accommodations: Employment Order 2009 Article 80 ensure workers are provided with an adequate and clean place of living with sufficient supply of water, hygienic and sanitary arrangements.
Eligible for citizenship: Migrant workers are allowed to apply for permanent residency with the following requirement.
Contributed to the economy development and having deposit of BND$500,000 in Brunei's bank
Working for more than 10 years in a high expertise field
Work contract & mobility: Migrant workers can visit home with approval using leave or cancel their contract with notice. For permanent return, their employer and authorities such as Immigration Department and Labour Department must confirm cancellation to ensure their departure and end of employment.
Differences in Employment Pass between Deserving Migrants and Undeserving Migrants in Brunei:
Deserving Migrants:
Access to education services with different fee arrangements
For government-employed foreign workers' children can receive around BND$800 per month and receive free schooling in public schools.
For private company workers, employers can support the education costs.
Undeserving Migrants:
Work permits valid for only 2 years and is not allowed to switch employers
However, they are seen as disposable workers as the government prioritize local employees.
4) Citizenship and Disposable Migrant Narrative
4) Citizenship and Disposable Migrant Narrative
Overview:
Overview:
Challenges in Obtaining Citizenship or Permanent Resident (PR)
Idea of 'Desired Migrant' vs. 'Disposable Migrant'
Policies That Hinder Long-Term Settlement for Migrant
National Identity, Racial Politics, and Who belongs to the Nationhood
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