PIHDM retreat focuses on being with the migrants

Feb 13, 2015

By Dempsey Fernandez
They came from many different churches yet their inner hearts spoke the same language of the Good Samaritan, standing WITH and FOR travellers, migrants and refugees. Everyone understood that the Lord led them to Port Dickson that Friday evening on January 23 to spend the weekend at the Marist Brothers Retreat Centre. The participants in the seminar organized by the Archdiocese Office for Human Development, KL (AOHD), were representative of the work that goes on silently in the parishes under the PIHDM banner. The weekend had a slant that skewed toward the welfare and wellbeing of the ‘migrant living among us’ and the ways in which we deal with our friends coming to Malaysia to seek employment and a ‘better life.’

The 70 odd group of church representatives were enlightened on the situation of ‘refugees,’ oft-times languishing in Malaysia, a growing plight overtaking our developing nation as Malaysian society veers into unchartered territory in a hazy economic and political future.

Coming together in this manner proved most timely as the group contended with the realities of the current Malaysian economy and the unwelcome prospect of what could lie in store with impending gloom escalating as oil prices drop further, a further weakening Ringgit, a disapportioned social imbalance and perhaps, arguably, the impending onslaught of the GST. All these factors bring to bear a heavier task for the Church in advocating the same care for and uplifting of the dignity of refugees and the migrants who are these days constantly, consistently and continually knocking on church doors… In reality, the Church contends with the growing numbers with little solution.

The actual figures of migrants who work and live in the nation vary. It ranges from 3-9 million, depending on who you ask. No one seems to have a pulse on the real figure!!

This translates to a demanding scope when PIHDMs are asked to help, due to the obvious limits that a church may have. The complaints are similar: unfair employer treatment, unjust wages, unequal treatment by authorities, unregistered migrants, unscrupulous agents, and the list goes on.

Needless to mention, the treatment or, shall we say, the mis-treatment of domestic helpers, even by our very own Christian (if not Catholic) employers.

The group looked at the options offered by the UNHCR, with a summary of the national economic overview from MP YB Charles Santiago (Klang constituency). A comprehensive outline of government assistance programmes that are available was presented by Women & Community Ministry Officer, A Balendram. Looking at the many issues and problems, the group were offered a perspective based on Catholic Social Teaching (CST), led by Charles Bertille, while Florida Sandanasamy from MTUC offered an informed discourse on Workers Rights and Migrant Issues. An interesting addition to the forum was a presentation from Asha Singh of ‘Health Equity Initiatives’ on Mental Health Awareness, advancing the cause for Urban and Rural Refugee Mental and Emotional Wellness. Legal Practitioner Joachim Xavier spoke on constitutional rights and how we approach migrant affairs in a legal manner.

A definite highlight of the event was the presence of Archbishop Julian Leow.

Overall, it was a fruitful weekend for the participants and provided insight for them to face the challenging environment, with its numerous obstacles.

What remained clear at the end of the formation seminar was the fact the Our Lord definitely stands with the migrants. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, consistently emphasizes a Church For The Poor. During his recent visit to the Philippines, he said, “Poverty is the flesh of the poor Jesus, in that child who is hungry, in the one who is sick, in those unjust social structures.”