Migration In Malaysia and Economic Impact

Migration In Malaysia and sparingal ImpactThrough place human history, migration of human beings is a pre-requisite of human promote and formulatement. Without migration, human being would be doomed to an existence worse than that of the animals. nonwithstanding animals migrate to seek a get out life sentence. The first humans migrated out of Southern Africa thousands of years ago and spread throughout the world and commonwealth have been moving some since then. People as salubrious as migrate because of factors handle wars, meagreness, discrimination, and for polity-making or even spectral indicates. In modern times, flock often migrate for security, head for the hills and even for education opportunities.Organised im migratory ram migration and free immigration in Malaysia took place under the British compound administration in the 19th century. During this period, the British required immigrant fight from China, India and Ind unitarysia to champion them in the exploitation of natural resources of the colonised countries establishing plantations and building foundation. It is mainly because of immigrant fag out provide a steady, adequate and cheap supply of surviveers at a time when the locals toil was either deemed unsuitable or was not kindle in working under the same harsh conditions as migrant labour. This period of free movement into Malaya saw large numbers arriving to work as well as returning home. However, because of free immigration and economic difficulties in the countries of origin, some(prenominal) immigrant workers decide to settle down in Malaya permanently.Malaysias quick economic development since indep give upence has relied on Malayan workers moving from rural-to-rural and rural-to-urban aras and immigrant workers, in particular from Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and some other Asian countries. In the scale of movement from rural-to-rural atomic number 18as, rapid migration was swif t mainly by politics intervention in rural development and agriculture. Rural-to-urban migration accelerated subsequently organization intervention in urban and industrial development was stepped up, especially after the second Malaysia Plan.The muscularity and pull factors at the inter interior(a) level in the region alike caused workers to migrate to Malaysia for participation. The accelerated economic development programmes and the free burning high economic growth rates in Malaysia over rough three decades caused the influx of immigrant workers to meet the increasing demand in the Malaysian labour market.why PEOPLE MIGRATEThere argon many theories that exertion to explain why plenty migrate. Among others is the need and stress system30. This theory holds that every individual has got his own ask to be fulfilled. These needs take versatile forms including economic, social, psychological and cultural. The high the chances that an individuals needs will not able to be fulfilled, the higher(prenominal) the stress he suffers from. If this stress grows beyond tolerable limits, the individual will force himself to move to a antithetic bea, which seems to promise possible fulfilment of his needs.The migration of people from one democracy to some other sylvan is not a novel phenomena. Since early days of colonialism, the colonial powers travelled around the world in lookup for raw genuine and new territory. both(prenominal) of them moved to seek for freedom of worship and some even moved because of the instability of the government. The migration of Muslims from British India to form an Islamic press out of Pakistan is one of the longgest voluntary migrations in history31.Wars and disputes are another reason for mass movements of people and this kind of movement is categorized as refuges. Because of the shoes are so sincere, the international consciences were moved and many voluntary organisations were form to assist these refugees. The V ietnamese Boat People is a good archetype of the mass movement of people of this nature. Today, we lock away can see refugees fleeing their untaught because of war and a good example is the latest situation in Liberia and Sudan. These people who enter another country through unofficial conduct are cognize as illegal immigrants who later, may create conundrum to the host country.In modern days, seeking for a better life and a immutable economic system befit the main factors that influences migration. Sociologist have ample analysed migration in terms of the further-pull model32. This model differentiates between push factors that jampack people to leave home from pull factors that attract migrants to a new location. Push factors cash in ones chipss within sending states, that is, those that send migrants overseas, age the pull factors occur within receiving states, that is states that received migrants from abroad. Push factors are negative aspects of the sending count ry, term pull factors are positive aspects of the receiving country33. In fact, these differentiating factors are unfeignedly two sides of the same coin.In moving migrants must not besides see a lack of benefits at home but likewise a surplus of benefits abroad. There are also to a greater extent uncertain factors, called mesh topology factors that can either facilitate or deter migration. Generally, the network factors are the networks of friends and relatives already settled in destination countries that serve as sources of information and anchor communities for newcomers34. The network factors also include, cost of travel, the ease of communion and international business trend. These factors are not related to a peculiar(prenominal) country, but still have a profound effect on international migration.The Pull FactorGenerally, at that place are two factors attracting migrants to receiving countries. First, the higher standards of life sentence and higher wages economic p rovide the some(prenominal) biggest push and pull factors for potential migrants35. Second, Labour Demand al near all positive countries have found that they need immigrant labour. Rich economies create millions of jobs that domestic workers winnow out to fill but immigrant workers will cross b baffles to take36. In the case of Malaysia, a wave of labour migration began in the early 70s where shortage of labour became critical especially in the plantation sectors. In mid 80s, the labour shortage becomes acute and this has attracted more immigrant workers into the country.The Push FactorGenerally, there are several reasons driving people to emigrate from their home country. First, lack of jobs/poverty economic provides the main reason behind migration37. In some countries jobs scarce do not exist for a great deal of the population. In others, the gap between the rewards of labour in the sending and receiving country are great enough so as to warrant a move. Second, civilised st rife, war, political and religious persecution some migrants are impelled to cross national borders by war or persecution at home38. close to of these migrants end up in receiving countries as refugees or asylum seekers. Third, environmental problems39 environmental problems and natural disasters often cause the loss of money, homes and jobs.The NetworkingThe demand-pull of jobs is linked to the supply push of low wages and job littleness by migration networks. Migration network encompasses everything that enables people to learn about opportunities abroad and take advantage of them. others are motivated to go abroad by family members who are working or settled down in the host country, contractors, labour brokers and other often-shadowy middlemen or tekong who promise the migrants better deals.WHY MALAYSIA BECOME MIGRANT DESTINATIONThe theory of migration occurs because of the sending and receiving factors mainly collectible to the push-pull and supply-demand forces. The influx of immigrant workers to Malaysia is not a recent phenomena. Malaysia replicates the complexity of international migration that exercises both of imports and exports of labour. Better economic growth and Malaysias geographical location that shares common borders with it neighbouring countries has become a pull-factor for migration to Malaysia. In contrast, the economic disparity, inequality and poverty in the country of origin serve as the push-factor for them to migrate, looking for jobs and better living. Generally, there are many other reasons why these immigrant workers choose Malaysia as their destination. First, Malaysia geographical location, second, the stable and levelheaded government, third, labours shortage, fourth, higher wages and finally, the employer attitudes.Geographical LocationMalaysia geographical location, which is in the centre of South East Asia is easily accessible either by land or sea. In addition, the easy access and the shortage of enforcing agencies alo ng the extended shores and entry points into Malaysia have caused the entry of many illegal immigrants undetected. immutable and Sound GovernmentSince independence, Malaysia has been governed by a stable government and with sound economic growth. This political and economical stability has become the main tenderness for migration. Comparatively, Malaysia has been seen as the most stable nation in this region in comparison to her neighbours. As such, others have regarded this country as an oasis in the region.Labour ShortageMalaysia has been experiencing a very high level of industrial development and it has developed further to be classified as a newly industrialized country. Therefore, from the human assets perspective the country has generated a vast demand of the work force especially un consummate workers for immediate employment in the industrial and manufacturing sectors. The labour shortage in Malaysia has become an grievous issues and employing immigrant workers is conside red to be the most viable short-term solution.Higher WagesGenerally, the immigrant workers in Malaysia can be regarded as an economic migrant. Comparatively, Malaysian employers pay higher wages to the immigrant workers for a similar job back home. This situation is set out even worse, where the wages offered is considered low for the local workers. Thus, it opens the job opportunities to the immigrant workers.The Employer AttitudeThe Malaysian employers attitude is also another pulling factors that attracted foreign workers. Beside that, it is suspected that there has been a simultaneous entry of huge number of illegal workers as well. Similar to the legal workers, the illegal workers were also employed in the construction, manufacturing and wait on sectors at a very low wage rate. It is a known fact that employers prefer this arrangement for various reasons such as a lower overhead cost and preventing them from registering to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Social credentia ls Organization (SOCSO), medical and social benefits. For the illegal immigrants, because of their unlawful status, they become less demanding in terms of salary and other privileges. As for the employers, in order to boost their production, the illegal immigrant workers can be easily employed to work extra hours with minimum wages.THE MIGRANT COUNTRY OF ORIGINMost of the immigrant workers in Malaysia came from her neighbouring countries Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand40. However, in early 90s, immigrant workers from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and few other countries started to dominate the Malaysias labour workforce. Therefore, it is only when realistic to identify the country of origin of the immigrant workers and examine the push factors that make them migrate to this country.Indonesia creation the largest country in this region with 1.9 million sq km, Indonesia is confront administrative problems in trying to govern the nations vast regions equally. To develop the str ong country, it requires massive effort and resources and this have created a gap between the provinces. or so parts of the country enjoy multi multi-fold development while others are still left far behind41.The problems of socio- deliverance seem to have centred on its big population, since Indonesia is the fourth most populous country with approximately 225 million. The Indonesian economy is dependence on oil and gas, plywood, textiles, rubber and palm oil. However, the limited resources and infrastructure on hand(predicate) were not adequate to accommodate the demands of ontogeny population42. This among other factors has caused poverty, which is estimated 24% of its population. Beside that, unprecedented turmoil in recent years, first the Asian financial crisis, followed by the fall of President Suharto, the first free pick since 1960, the loss of East Timor, independence demands from restive provinces, bloody inter-ethnic and religious conflict and devastating tsunami had w orsen the economic situation, increased the inflation and unemployment rates.ThailandLike Indonesia, Thailand is also facing the problem of poverty, where 80% of the population lives in the rural areas and most of them are poor farmers. The reason is simple the Thai government is concentrating more on defence rather than the socio-economy development of the country.PhilippinesThe Philippines, which consist of 3,666 islands, is facing almost similar problem like Indonesia in terms of administration and developments of the provinces. Beside that, religious conflict between Islam and Christian has confabd serious threat to the country. This is mate with the uneven development between the provinces, which has created a disparity situation amongst the citizen while the armed revolution by the militant groups in Southern Philippines stead a major threat to its internal security.BangladeshThis small country with a large population is facing many problems. The high rates of poverty and p olitical instability of the country has influenced the citizen to look for better opportunities in other countries. The country also constantly experiences natural disaster such as floods and drought, which made the situation worst.MyanmarThe close policy of Myanmar to the outside world is one of the reasons for the backwardness of the country. The poverty rates is very high amongst the population of 85% Buddhist. Being a poor country, Myanmar faces the same socio-economy problem and political instability, which abash the development of the country.NepalWith its ancient culture and the Himalaya as a backdrop, the landlocked farming of Nepal has for many years been the destination of choice for foreign travellers in search of adventure. The country with an area of 147,181 sq km and 26.3 million people is one of the poorest countries in the world where more than 40% of its population is estimated to live in poverty. Being a landlocked country with limited agriculture and other indus tries, Nepal economy relies mainly on tourist industries.However, the current political turmoil and the growing Maoist guerrilla insurgency movement that keeps the tourist away are now undermining the Nepal economies. Maoist rebels have been waging a campaign against the constitutional monarchy in a conflict that has left more than 11,000 people dead since it started in 1996. Based on the UN reports, it is indicated that, the rebellion has displaced more than 100,000 people43. Nepal also has been at odds with neighbouring Bhutan over the repatriation of thousands of refugees living in camps in Nepal. The refugees, Bhutanese of Nepalese descent fled violence in their homeland in early 1990s. With these current problems, worsen economy and political situation has drive away the people to look for a better living in other countries.Other CountriesOther than the countries mentioned, there are also immigrant workers from India, Pakistan, China, Middle East and even African countries. Th ese countries are also facing the same socio-economy problem and political instability. However, the numbers is not as high as the other immigrants from the Malaysias neighbouring countries. Some enter the country legally but had extended their stay although their endorse had expired. Their main reason in doing so is to earn a better living in this country.SUMMARYIn summary, Malaysia needs the immigrant workers for the development, but their charge should not dominate the labour work force because they will decidedly pose some positive and negative impact as well as threat to the national security. The positive and negative impact of their front line varies. From the economic perspective, their employment helped the continuous development and economic growth of the country by filling the gap of the acute labour shortages. On contrary, their presence and employment depress wages and this has reduced the competitiveness of local workers and frustrates attempt made by the trade un ions to improve their working terms and conditions. A productive and competitive workforce is crucial for Malaysia in order to develop a knowledge-based economy and to achieve its aspiration of becoming a to the full developed nation. However, most of the immigrant workers are unskilled or semi skilled labours with lower academic background. Therefore, the government has to formulate a comprehensive policy governing this requirement, which will definitely incur extra cost and procedures to the employer. As a result of this bureaucracy, the employer often blamed the process of importing workers as being lengthy and tedious process. Therefore, they recruited illegal workers who are readily available for employment.Socially, being less educated, poor and lower social class, these immigrants workers seem to be un-stabled economically, physically and mentally. As a result, negative contestations for a better living can emerged from these situations. For example their incursion into non -designated jobs like petty trading imposes needless competition to the local traders. They also compete with the locals for cheaper housing especially in the urban areas, which resulted the rise in rental and short supply of houses. Some of them are even move into developing new illegal squatters and this has impose strain on the basic amenities in the areas. Any slightest conflicts resulted from this competition might turn into social clashes between the immigrants and the locals.Immigrant workers have also been seen as a threat to security and political stability. This stems from their ignorance of the countrys law. This can be seen from various activities such as, illegal entry, involve in criminal activities, over staying, interruption government land illegally, and many others. These activities will definitely have serious implication on security. Illegal entry for examples, implies that Malaysias has porous borders and was unable nurse the borders, allowing not only econom ic migrants to come through but also any subversive elements. Illegal entry will also enables those with patrimonial diseases to filter through and spread it to the population.