Undocumented migrants too must go for screening, but dim hope of getting them now, says think tank

Mass detentions of undocumented foreign workers in breach of a government assurance have made it more difficult to get them to come forward for Covid-19 screening, says a think tank.

PETALING JAYA: A public health think tank has urged the government to extend the mandatory Covid-19 screening of foreign workers to undocumented migrants, while expressing concern that it would be difficult to get them following recent swoops on foreigners in Kuala Lumpur during the movement control order (MCO).

The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy said their exclusion would leave a major gap in the country’s health strategy.

Putrajaya has announced that all foreign workers must undergo a swab test following a spike in Covid-19 cases among them in Ampang.

“The issue here is that foreign workers, documented or otherwise, are vulnerable due to their living conditions, income levels and access to health care,” Galen’s Azrul Mohd Khalib told FMT.

“In fact, we should be looking at testing all vulnerable communities, including the elderly.”

‘Breach of trust’

But Azrul said he was concerned that the recent immigration crackdowns had made testing undocumented migrants difficult even if the government was intending to screen them.

He criticised the crackdowns, saying they went against the government’s promise to suspend immigration operations as the country battles Covid-19.

“Such a breach of trust could cause undocumented migrant workers to go underground and hide rather than get tested and seek treatment.”

Recently, the authorities conducted a sting operation targeting undocumented migrants at Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur.

Azrul Mohd Khalib

The operation, which reportedly resulted in mass detentions, came under fire from local and international rights activists.

“The raids have surely struck fear into the hearts of the migrant community and you will now have those who will want to avoid being dumped into the detention centres,” North-South Initiative director Adrian Pereira said.

“We should learn from the Tabligh cluster experience. It took weeks and weeks to screen as many as possible as they refused to come forward.”

Pereira said all enforcement efforts against migrants must be stopped.

“We can resolve the issues later through amnesty and rehiring programmes. This would be a smarter move.”

Malaysian Medical Association president Dr N Ganabaskaran said in a media statement that undocumented migrants also had a right to healthcare.

“We urge the authorities to work closely with the relevant NGOs in helping to reach them as some may fear the authorities and flee to other locations,” he said, adding that this would make contact tracing more difficult. - FMT