A PKR leader has called on the government to facilitate the administration of Covid-19 vaccines for undocumented migrants by ensuring their safety from arrest.
Among others, PKR Women's vice-chief Sangetha Jayakumar urged the government to set up at least two vaccination centres (PPVs) in one district that would receive and vaccinate undocumented workers.
"Migrant workers with no passport or work permit should be allowed to go to selected PPVs in each district for their vaccination.
"Meanwhile, migrant workers who have been out of jobs for months or those with minimal income, should not be asked to go to a faraway PPV because they can’t afford to cover the cost," she said in a statement today.
Sangetha said her own cooperation with NGOs and individuals in Klang - where there had been several major workplace clusters involving migrant workers - saw some 300 migrants being allocated vaccination dates since last week.
Through the process, Sangetha said she discovered several hindrances, including the workers being assigned to vaccination centres in Putrajaya, Seri Kembangan and Kuala Lumpur, rather than one within Klang.
"These locations are between 30km to 50km from Klang.
"There is clear fear from undocumented workers, including those with valid but expired documents, to register themselves for vaccination.
"There is also dilemma among migrant workers who are completely undocumented with no passport (in their possession)," she noted.
She also questioned an apparent arrangement for migrants to only be assigned to the Bukit Jalil PPV, adding to their fear due to its location being in the same area as the immigration detention depot.
"In my view, all PPVs should be immediately opened to all migrant workers," she added.
Last month, National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said all PPVs have been instructed to accept migrant workers with confirmed appointments in their MySejahtera applications.
The science, technology, and innovation minister at the time also confirmed that migrant workers are not restricted to only being vaccinated via the public-private sector partnership (Pikas) programme run by the International Trade and Industries Ministry. - Mkini
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