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The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the large number of foreigners, both documented and undocumented, living and working in Kuala Lumpur.
The problem arose after several locations in the capital city were placed under an improved movement control order (MCO) when some foreign workers tested positive for Covid-19.
Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa noted that there were more than 10,000 foreign workers living in Selayang, many of whom worked in Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur, the city’s main wholesale market.
The number does not include those who live and work in other improved MCO areas such as Jalan Masjid India, many of whom live in overcrowded and poor housing conditions.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan acknowledged that the number of foreigners living in improved MCO areas was high.
“Previously we did not know where many of them were staying, but now we do,” he told StarMetro.
He said that some may have legally entered the country to work in sectors such as agriculture in other states, but ultimately ended up in Kuala Lumpur.
As a local authority, he said that the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) could only do so much.
“We have no power to take action against these illegal foreign workers, many of whom work in wet markets and food courts. We can only take measures under the 2002 regulation of the Federal Territory Wholesale Market.
“We have been enforcing the law and we have rules that market and food court merchants should not hire foreign workers, but still do.
“Now we tell them that they can hire, but they have to make sure that the workers are legal with the proper documentation.
“Employers make excuses that they do not have enough labor and that Malaysians avoid this type of work,” he said.
Nor Hisham said that, on the part of DBKL, they could only cancel the license and aggravate those who hired illegal immigrants.
“Even if we cancel the license of merchants who hired illegal workers, it does not solve the problem, as these foreigners will continue to look for another job and that in itself will create social problems,” he said.
He said plans were underway to review how DBKL handled and handled illegal foreign workers in the city.
“We are looking at all sectors and industries, not just markets and food courts,” he said, calling for political will and inter-agency cooperation.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is a wake-up call to ensure that something is done about it once and for all,” he said.
Preferred Foreigners Employers interviewed said they had no choice but to hire foreigners, as Malaysians were unwilling to do dangerous, dirty and difficult jobs.
“I will never hire a local to work because they just are not trustworthy,” said Mansor Shah, a retailer working in Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur.
“I have hired locals before when DBKL ruled six years ago that we only employ locals. I tried but failed. “They (the locals) were late, spending more time smoking or drinking tea, and refused to work overtime, even though I was willing to pay them more,” Mansor said.
“They are not open to criticism and when they are scolded they cry,” said K. Raj, who runs an electronics store in Jalan Silang.
“There is always one excuse or another to avoid coming to work. Apparently, one worker had family members dying every two weeks, “said Raj.
“I would love to hire locals because it would save me a lot of money,” said employer Bahadur Ahmad.
“I pay thousands of ringgit (in foreign worker collection fees) for five of my staff who are from Bangladesh.
“And that does not include the other costs that I have to pay the agents, among others. Its a lot of money.
“I would prefer to hire locals who are willing to work hard, but it is difficult to find,” Bahadur asked.
He said that Malaysians rejected such jobs and preferred to become electronic call drivers or delivery drivers, as those jobs offered more freedom and flexibility.
A vegetable vendor said foreign workers took instructions well and were not afraid of hard work.
“It is impossible for our business to survive without foreign workers,” said the seller, who did not want to be identified.
Although he employed legal foreign workers, he would also hire those without a permit whenever he needed informal work.
He paid them between RM45 and RM80 per day, adding that those with experience could have a higher rate.
The president of the Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers Association, Wong Keng Fatt, blamed the tedious application process for obtaining a work permit for the increase in the number of illegal foreign workers.
“Traders would have to go to the Immigration Department at 5 in the morning and wait several hours.
“Many would get fed up and resort to hiring illegal workers,” he said.
Wong also highlighted the high costs involved in registering foreign workers in the service sector.
“We have to shell out around RM4,000 or even RM6,000 if we go through an agent.
“In other industries, like factories, it’s much cheaper to hire a foreign worker.”
Wong said there were probably only 50-100 foreign workers in the Selayang wholesale market that are registered with the authorities.
Two legal foreign workers interviewed by StarMetro said they were happy with the salary and working conditions here.
“We make more money in Malaysia doing the same thing for the same amount of time,” said Pawan from Bangladesh.
“I can send money home and I still have some balance for myself,” he said.
Pawan’s employer pays for his accommodation and his workplace in Masjid India is just a few meters from where he is staying.
Rosul from Pakistan doesn’t need to pay for accommodation either, but he has to share it with 10 others.
“I am willing to work hard and I can save money here. It’s better, “he said.
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