An overview on COVID-19 and its impact on migration in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Borhan Abdullah, Rosli Sareya, Andi Tamsang Andi Kele, Rostika P. Boroh, Shafinaz Naim
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 2021
• Subjects: HC94-1085 By region or country
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38338/1/ABSTRACT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38338/2/FULLTEXT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38338/; https://doi.org/10.24191/jibe.v6i2.16680
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sabah

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected countries all over the world. Many countries have imposed restrictive measures, such as lockdowns, shelter-in-place, and stay-at-home orders, as an attempt to control the pandemic at a local level. However, these measures also hit the economy hard. This paper predicts the impact of COVID-19 on migration in Malaysia based on the experience during the Asian Financial Crisis. Migrant workers contribute a large portion of the labour market in Malaysia. Thousands of migrant workers are affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, the implementation and re-imposition of multiple phases of Movement Control Order (MCO) which worsened the economy. Therefore, there is a need to review the possible effect of COVID-19 on migration as it would greatly affect the labour market and the economy as a whole.