NST Leader: Foreign labour pangs
Trafficking foreign workers into Malaysia is becoming a big business. Errant employers and corrupt officers in cahoots with multinational syndicates are profiting at the expense of foreign workers. Most, if not all, of these foreign workers are duped into coming here.
On June 2, a record 279 foreigners — 240 Bangladeshis, 33 Pakistanis and six Indians — were turned back at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA) for failing to meet immigration requirements. And here is the worry: according to the agency's acting director-general Datuk Sazali Mohamad, the case may be just the tip of the iceberg.
So what we see is not what we get. Between June 2023 and May last year, 25,568 foreign workers were issued Not-To-Land Orders (NTLs), he told the New Straits Times.
How many slipped through MBCA's net remains a mystery. Clearly, Malaysia wants to curb human trafficking, but issuing NTLs and adopting stricter border controls alone won't solve the problem.
There is no denying that there are many factors behind the thriving illegal business. But the driving factor is the demand for cheap foreign labour by miscreant employers who work with syndicates at home and abroad. It is here that the authorities must begin. Blacklisting rogue employers would be a good start.
Next is government-to-government collaboration between Malaysia and source countries, without which it would be impossible to root out trafficking of foreign workers. Neither Malaysia nor sending countries can deny that syndicates are at work in both places.
Such collaboration must involve each taking responsibility to stamp out such syndicates, including weeding out corrupt enforcement officers. This must be followed by bilateral agreements.
The Philippines-Malaysia memorandum of understanding for domestic workers offers a strong model, clearly outlining minimum wages and employer responsibilities.
Our industry players must not outsource such responsibilities to third parties, a major flaw that contributes to foreign workers becoming undocumented workers in Malaysia.
Equally important is to seriously think about our excessive dependence on foreign labour. For sure, demand for foreign workers isn't going to go away by decree.
We have become too reliant on them to say that by this or that year we will reduce our intake. Here is why.
The Human Resources Ministry last year said there were 2.3 million foreign workers in various sectors such as manufacturing (730,999), construction (646,508), services (394,739), plantation (263,151), agriculture (171,103), domestic work (100,675) and mining and quarrying (571), making up 14.6 per cent of Malaysia's total workforce.
With this level of dependence, it isn't easy to reduce our reliance on foreign labour in a few years. Perhaps, what is needed is for policymakers and industry players to plan together for a phased reduction of foreign workers.
To compel businesses to hurry with automation would meet with strong resistance. Because automation isn't cheap for many businesses in Malaysia.
Large plantations, for example, can afford automation, but smallholders may need incentives such as tax relief. If we can shower such benefits on foreign investors, there isn't a reason why we can't do the same for local businesses.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Foreign labour pangs
Trafficking foreign workers into Malaysia is becoming a big business. Errant employers and corrupt officers in cahoots with multinational syndicates are profiting at the expense of foreign workers. Most, if not all, of these foreign workers are duped into coming here. On June 2, a record 279 foreigners — 240 Bangladeshis, 33 Pakistanis and six Indians — were turned back at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA) for failing to meet immigration requirements. And here is the worry: according to the agency's acting director-general Datuk Sazali Mohamad, the case may be just the tip of the iceberg. So what we see is not what we get. Between June 2023 and May last year, 25,568 foreign workers were issued Not-To-Land Orders (NTLs), he told the New Straits Times. How many slipped through MBCA's net remains a mystery. Clearly, Malaysia wants to curb human trafficking, but issuing NTLs and adopting stricter border controls alone won't solve the problem. There is no denying that there are many factors behind the thriving illegal business. But the driving factor is the demand for cheap foreign labour by miscreant employers who work with syndicates at home and abroad. It is here that the authorities must begin. Blacklisting rogue employers would be a good start. Next is government-to-government collaboration between Malaysia and source countries, without which it would be impossible to root out trafficking of foreign workers. Neither Malaysia nor sending countries can deny that syndicates are at work in both places. Such collaboration must involve each taking responsibility to stamp out such syndicates, including weeding out corrupt enforcement officers. This must be followed by bilateral agreements. The Philippines-Malaysia memorandum of understanding for domestic workers offers a strong model, clearly outlining minimum wages and employer responsibilities. Our industry players must not outsource such responsibilities to third parties, a major flaw that contributes to foreign workers becoming undocumented workers in Malaysia. Equally important is to seriously think about our excessive dependence on foreign labour. For sure, demand for foreign workers isn't going to go away by decree. We have become too reliant on them to say that by this or that year we will reduce our intake. Here is why. The Human Resources Ministry last year said there were 2.3 million foreign workers in various sectors such as manufacturing (730,999), construction (646,508), services (394,739), plantation (263,151), agriculture (171,103), domestic work (100,675) and mining and quarrying (571), making up 14.6 per cent of Malaysia's total workforce. With this level of dependence, it isn't easy to reduce our reliance on foreign labour in a few years. Perhaps, what is needed is for policymakers and industry players to plan together for a phased reduction of foreign workers. To compel businesses to hurry with automation would meet with strong resistance. Because automation isn't cheap for many businesses in Malaysia. Large plantations, for example, can afford automation, but smallholders may need incentives such as tax relief. If we can shower such benefits on foreign investors, there isn't a reason why we can't do the same for local businesses.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Syndicate suspected behind bid to traffic 279 foreigners via KLIA
KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate is believed to be behind an attempt to traffic 279 foreigners into Malaysia via Kuala Lumpur International Airport last week. The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA), which foiled the attempt by issuing a record number of Not-To-Land (NTL) orders, believes the case may be just the tip of the iceberg. The agency's acting director-general Datuk Sazali Mohamad said the foreigners issued NTLs on June 2 displayed travel patterns consistent with past illegal entries linked to trafficking syndicates. "We found repeated red flags, identical travel itineraries, scripted responses and questionable documentation," he told the New Straits Times. "This strongly suggests a coordinated effort, possibly involving trafficking networks or illegal syndicates." On Tuesday, MBCA said it recorded its highest number of NTLs in a single day, denying entry to 240 Bangladeshis, 33 Pakistanis and six Indian citizens who failed to meet immigration requirements. The foreigners, detected by the KLIA Border Control Monitoring Team, were immediately deported. That team was established in 2023 to improve early screening and identify high-risk travellers. Previously, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the cabinet had discussed how immigration and airports handle NTL cases. He said NTLs were issued for various reasons, including being blacklisted or failing to show proof of visit purpose — such as a visa, return flight ticket or hotel accommodation — as required under immigration regulations. "The NTL decision was made in the interest of safeguarding Malaysia's borders and the integrity of its immigration system," said Sazali. He added that Sections 8 and 28 of the Immigration Act empowered authorities to refuse entry to individuals deemed unqualified or suspicious. Sazali said apart from suspected syndicate links, NTLs were also issued to travellers who fail to meet key immigration requirements, such as a clear travel purpose, sufficient funds, valid documentation and verifiable accommodation. He said these anomalies were consistent with those used by organised groups, though investigations are ongoing. MORE NTL s DURING PEAK PERIODS, HOLIDAYS Sazali said between June 2023 and May last year, 25,568 NTL cases were recorded nationwide, with the highest numbers logged during public holidays and school breaks. "The busiest months were July 2023 (2,358 cases) and August 2023 (2,224 cases)," he said. Sazali said the spike was no coincidence. "Peak travel seasons often provide cover for irregular movements. We are now using enhanced profiling and real-time data to detect these threats at the source," he said. He said MBCA primarily relied on the Immigration Department's MyIMMs system, which automatically flags travellers on watch lists, blacklists or with known criminal records, and generates real-time alerts for immediate action. "This allows officers to make immediate, informed decisions on whether to hold or deny entry for further checks. "The system is particularly valuable during peak travel periods when quick and accurate assessments are essential." He added that MBCA was working with foreign embassies and airlines to manage NTLs. "We engage embassies to verify travellers' identities and provide consular support. "We also work with airlines to arrange return flights, provide meals, and manage temporary care for individuals denied entry. "Such coordination helps prevent confusion and ensures airport operations remain orderly, even during high-traffic periods."
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Activist Fahmi Reza claims he was barred from leaving the country
KUALA LUMPUR: Activist and graphic artist Fahmi Reza claims he was prevented from leaving the country this morning after immigration officers at KLIA informed him that he had been blacklisted. "Today, on my birthday and Hari Raya Aidiladha, I found out I've been blacklisted and barred from leaving the country," he said in a Facebook post earlier today. In his post, he detailed plans for a short two-day trip to Singapore to attend a show featuring two of his favourite punk bands. Fahmi said he arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) around 7.30am to catch a 9.35am flight and proceeded to the international immigration clearance counter, where he was directed to the immigration office. He said the officer asked for his travel documents and destination, then requested printed copies of his boarding pass and flight ticket. Despite showing digital versions on his phone, Fahmi claimed he was instructed to print physical copies himself, even though the office was equipped with a printer. With just minutes left before boarding, an airport staff member assisted him by driving him to a nearby hotel to print the required documents. Upon returning to the immigration office, Fahmi said he was informed that he had not been granted clearance to leave the country. According to him, the officer said that Bukit Aman had not approved his departure but did not provide any further explanation. He was then escorted out of the departure area. The New Straits Times has reached out to the police for comment.
