Challenges in labour migration policy : reviewing governance failure in Malaysia

• Main Author: Chan, Tau Chou
• Other Authors: Mely Caballero Anthony
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities::General
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/76099
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Governance failure in labour migration policies have created a vast undocumented migrant workforce in Malaysia.Many legally hired workers become a part of the undocumented labour pool when their work permits expire. They overstay to keep earning so as to pay off heavy debts owed to employment agents. This shadow workforce is further swelled by victims of human trafficking and those who cross porous borders illegally to seek jobs. The debt bondage migrant workers suffer leave them exposed to exploitation and human rights violations. Those who are or become undocumented are treated as national security threats and live in constant fear of arrest. Their lack of protection against abuse has been well-documented. But scant research has been conducted on the underlying governance factors behind Malaysia's inability to substantially reduce labour migration costs and eradicate the irregular migrant workforce- two key elements of a debt trap that renders workers vulnerable to abuse. Given the transnational nature of labour migration, Malaysian authorities prioritise national security over human security in related policy formation. But while the state frames labour migration as a national security threat, corruption amongst state actors allows foreigners to enter Malaysia and work illegally - violating national security. This thesis investigates certain recruitment and employment processes that, on paper, are designed to tighten regulations and cut out unscrupulous manpower agents. In reality, they create a recruitment nexus that allows select politicians to reap lucrative returns off the backs of migrant workers. Findings indicate that when powerful forces are profiteering from these processes, it compromises the political will to strengthen labour regulations and ease the human security threats migrant workers face.