JULY 1 ― In May last year, Malaysians thought they were experiencing the height of the pandemic. Against the backdrop of isolation and social distancing, economic woes and worsening mental health, xenophobia reared its ugly head.
If there is anything the pandemic should have taught us, it is that none of us are safe until and unless all of us are safe. Also illogical is the suggestion that migrant workers, who make up an estimated 15 per cent of the workforce, will not contribute extensively to herd immunity if vaccinated. Migrant workers are part of the fabric of this nation and many work in sectors that see them interacting heavily with citizens . They are our cashiers, waiters, petrol station attendants, they take our temperatures and give us trolleys when we shop at upscale supermarkets.
Myanmar migrants to be deported from Malaysia are seen inside an immigration truck, in Lumut February 23, 2021. — Reuters pic