Migrant Workers with Social Security in Malaysia: Are they being discriminated against?

Abstract

Migration and cross-border mobility of workers are expected to further intensify in the coming years as the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) works towards a full regional integration. Malaysia is one of the countries that receive migrant workers supplied by sending countries in ASEAN. The initial finding shows that migrant workers in Malaysia face discriminatory treatment, with insufficient legal coverage under the existing laws. Using the qualitative research methodology, this article analyses the coverage and protection given under existing laws to migrant workers, which would ensure basic social and labour protection and with reference to International Labour Standard.