Government's Plan To Allow Rohingya Refugees To Work, A Positive Step

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The government's plan to allow 300 Rohingya refugees to work in the country is a positive first step towards opening wider opportunities and recognition for refugees and asylum seekers in the country. Malaysian Medical Relief Society (Mercy Malaysia) president Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus said by allowing the refugees access to lawful employment, it would help fill the gaps in Malaysia labour market, especially in the jobs categorised as dangerous, dirty and difficult (3D). He said although refugees were willing to work and employers were willing to hire them, they had to work illegally as they were not currently allowed to work by the government. "We see this as an acknowledgement of refugees by the government, by allowing them to work legally, refugees will be able to live independently, and they can learn skills that might be useful for them in the future," he told a press conference after the fourth Sultan Nazrin Shah Lecture Series entitled 'Migration, Displacement and the Age of Humanitarian Crisis' here Wednesday. The lecture was given by William Lacy Swing, director general of the International Organisation for Migration, and was attended by the Perak state Ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah. Tuesday, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the government was in the process of implementing a pioneer project to allow 300 Rohingya refugees, holding the United Nations High Commission For Refugees (UNHCR) card, to work in the country. Nur Jazlan said those who were qualified and met conditions stipulated by the government would be allowed to work in the plantation and manufacturing sectors. Meanwhile, Ahmad Faizal said the plan on hiring refugees would not affect job opportunities for locals as they could only work in two sectors, namely plantations and manufacturing. "The myth that says refugees will take up local jobs is totally wrong as there is no evidence to proof that the refugees are actually filing the gap to spur the economy. "It is good that the government starts with only 300 refugees, that way we can see whether they (refugees) are really able to blend in to the working culture of Malaysia," he added. -- BERNAMA