Undocumented migrants in Malaysia in a pickle

An estimated two lakh undocumented Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus infections with the Southeast Asian country enforcing about a-month-long lockdown since March 18.

The undocumented migrants will also not be eligible for the basic pay Malaysian government had promised to provide to workers during the lockdown.

Even though officials announced that undocumented migrants will not be arrested when they go to hospitals for screening, the workers are afraid of going to hospitals.

"The regular workers can get basic salary, but undocumented ones are not getting anything," said Abu Hayat, an independent Bangladeshi researcher based in Kuala Lumpur.

Non-payment and high risks of Covid-19 infection have created uncertainty and depression among the undocumented migrants, he said.

"There are many migrants who work in remote areas. They are not aware of the coronavirus risks and are unlikely to visit any hospital for screening," Hayat told The Daily Star over the phone.

Malaysia, home to about eight lakh Bangladeshis, including the two lakh undocumented ones, reported at least 2,470 infections and 34 deaths from Covid-19.

Malaysia's lockdown exempted those engaged in services like health, transport, banking, law enforcement and the food.

The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research, a local think tank predicts a recession and forecasts that the economy may contract by 2.9 percent this year with 2.4 million job losses.

Jonny, 25, an undocumented Bangladeshi construction worker in Serdang of Selangor district, said, "We are not leaving the dormitory and have been spending our savings. If the one-month lockdown continues further, I will have to ask my family in Bangladesh to send money."

He lives at a labour camp with over 200 migrant workers. About five of them live in each room. A supervisor routinely checks their temperature and if they detect someone has a fever, they are sent them to a hospital. That's not the case in all labour camps, especially where undocumented migrants live.

Syed Mawla, a Bangladeshi community leader in Kuala Lumpur, said ensuring health screening for undocumented workers would be a big challenge for the Malaysian authorities.

"Malaysia can't effectively combat Covid-19 if migrants, stateless people, and refugees are unable to get health care because they can't afford it, face discrimination, or fear arrest and deportation," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement on March 24.

"With many living in crowded settlements with no running water and no ability to isolate those who get sick, they are especially vulnerable to the Covid-19 infection," he said.

The New York-based global rights watchdog said for many non-citizens in Malaysia, who must pay more for health care than citizens do, the costs of health care can present an insurmountable barrier. Language and cultural barriers may also impede access to services.

"While the Ministry of Health announced on March 23,2020 that Covid-19 tests will be free for foreigners as well as for Malaysians, the announcement does not make clear whether free tests are available for those who are undocumented, or whether those who are found to be ill will have to pay the 'foreigner fee' for treatment."

Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa recently encouraged undocumented migrants to come forward and be tested, but did not expressly state that they would not face legal repercussions, HRW said.

"The Malaysian government needs to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic by making sure everyone, regardless of their legal status, can access health care without risk of arrest or other repercussions and is aware that they can do so, and that hospitals treat all those who come without discrimination.

"Covid-19 does not discriminate, and neither should the Malaysian government."

Contacted, Zahirul Islam, labour counsellor at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, said many Bangladeshi undocumented workers called the mission's hotline number to ask whether they would be harassed if they went for coronavirus tests. However, after the government assured that there will be no security problem and treatment charges if undocumented workers and refugees take the Covid-19 screening, the number of calls dropped.

Zahirul added that the mission was working to create awareness among Bangladeshi migrant workers about the virus.

Migrant researcher Abu Hayat suggested that a vigorous information campaign should be launched among the migrant communities across Malaysia.