Tenaganita: No income during MCO causing many foreign workers to starve

Apr 17, 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: Migrant rights group Tenaganita has expressed concern over the numbers of foreign workers who are starving as a result of the movement control order (MCO).

Tenaganita director Aegile Fernandez  (pic) told media portal The Malaysian Insight that those working in the construction and manufacturing sectors are badly affected.

“They can’t go to work, therefore they are not paid and do not have money to buy food.

“The situation in rural areas is even worse than in urban areas.

“They are stranded in remote areas with little help, or no help at all,” Aegile said.

The activist added that in urban areas, at least there are local groups providing assistance to help migrant workers.

Currently, the activist group has identi fied such vulnerable foreign workers in rural areas in Kedah, Perak and Johor.

However, Aegile said, some employers have given positive feedback in providing for the welfare of foreign workers.

“Some factories have resumed operation and the workers are allowed to stay there instead of having to commute to work. Food is also supplied.

“However, there are still many more living in terrible conditions because they have no money and no assistance,” she said.

During the MCO, which started on March 18, only manufacturing factories producing essential items were allowed to operate.

“The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) in partnership with Tenaganita is working among the marginalised communities,” said Rev Dr Hermen Shastri, the general secretary of CCM, The International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) recently added exemptions to allow certain non-essential services to operate during the third phase of the MCO.

The overwhelming response from business owners spiked up the number of visitors to the Miti website, causing it to crash.

Miti reported that more than 176,000 visitors had sent applications to allow them to resume their operations. -- Malaysiakini