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As we mark International Migrants Day 2024, the Malaysian Bar draws inspiration from an impactful statement made by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim: “… but they can’t be treated as modern slaves, no matter if they are from Bangladesh or Indonesia or India.”1 This statement, made during a recent visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh, underscores the urgent need for Malaysia to reassess how it values and protects its migrant workforce. Migrants are not mere instruments of economic utility; they are human beings deserving dignity, fairness, and justice.
Malaysia has long benefited from the dedication and hard work of migrants. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, as at July 2023, approximately three million migrants resided in Malaysia, accounting for 8.9% of the population. The World Bank’s estimates further reveal the broader scale of migration and its connection to the country’s economy — between 2.6 and 5.5 million migrants, documented and undocumented, contribute significantly to sectors such as manufacturing, plantations, agriculture, hospitality, and domestic work.
Labour migrants comprise 15.3% of Malaysia’s workforce, predominantly in low- and semi-skilled jobs that form the backbone of numerous industries to sustain Malaysia’s economic growth.
Despite their contributions, many migrants face systemic challenges that hinder their well-being and dignity. A significant portion of migrants remain undocumented, making them vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and lack of access to basic rights and services. The recent case involving workers at the Kawaguchi Manufacturing plastics factory highlights the urgent need for enforcement of labour rights. Migrant workers at the factory, who staged a peaceful protest over months of unpaid wages totalling RM806,310, were met with delayed negotiations and inadequate resolutions.2 This reflects the broader systemic issue of wage theft and labour exploitation that requires immediate redress through stringent enforcement and accountability.
Migrants, particularly women, play a critical role in the care economy, an often-overlooked sector. Ensuring their fair treatment and access to labour protections is vital. Migrants contribute to Malaysia’s economy but are often excluded from schemes such as the Employees Provident Fund or Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (“EPF” / “KWSP”). Extending access to such protections would signify Malaysia’s commitment to equitable treatment. As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, it has a pivotal role to play in addressing irregular migration. The ongoing crisis in Myanmar, including the Rohingya genocide, demands Malaysia’s leadership in advocating humane solutions and regional cooperation.
International Migrants Day, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on 4 December 2000,3 reminds us that migration is driven by aspirations for dignity, safety, and peace. Yet, the journey is often fraught with danger and despair. Malaysia must lead by example in championing migrant rights by becoming a party to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, enforcing stricter regulations on recruitment agencies to eliminate exploitative practices, strengthening bilateral agreements to ensure the fair treatment of migrant workers and refugees, and advocating collective ASEAN action to address the root causes of migration, particularly in Myanmar.
The Malaysian Bar urges all stakeholders to reflect on the principles of fairness, dignity, and respect that underpin International Migrants Day. Migrants are not modern slaves; they are partners in progress. Let us honour their contributions and reaffirm our commitment to building a society that values every individual, regardless of their nationality or status. On this International Migrants Day, let us remember that migration is not merely a movement of people; it is a journey toward shared hope and humanity.
Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab
President
Malaysia Bar
19 December 2024
1 “Malaysia’s Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly”, Benar News, 4 October 2024.
2 “Labour dept promises justice for Kawaguchi workers on strike”, Free Malaysia Today, 17 December 2024.
3 International Migrants Day, UNESCO website.