JUNE, 2020 | THE HEALTH
03
| The Health says ... |
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IF THERE is one thing the Covid-19
pandemic has revealed, it’s that illegal or
undocumented workers in the country can
pose serious health problems.
Health Director-General Datuk Dr
Noor Hisham Abdullah lamented recently
there was a drastic rise in positive cases
from April 29 among foreigners at several
immigration detention depots.
“This means the nation is facing a new
challenge, namely an increase in Covid-19
cases among non-locals,” he said.
The figures, although not very high, are
nevertheless alarming. From samples taken
from foreign workers at three main detention
centres, more than 700 have tested positive for
the virus.
We are paying the price today for the lax
enforcement against illegals from crossing our
borders. Little was also done to stop them from
working illegally in various sectors. The lax
attitude inevitably led to the return of illnesses
such as TB. The disease had been previously
eradicated in the country.
Illegal workers also pose a severe threat
to the security of the country. If millions of
them have been able to penetrate our borders,
what does it say about our policing? Or does
it involve corruption? How else could millions
of undocumented workers continue working
in some very public areas like restaurants,
construction sites and even as
security guards?
Living in cramped and overcrowded
accommodations has proven to be the perfect
way to spread the Covid-19 virus. It was a
time bomb waiting to explode. As we saw in
Singapore, even legal workers have caused a
massive increase in the number of Covid-19
positive cases, so what more illegals who live in
worse conditions?
The relevant authorities responsible must be
made accountable. Failure to penalise them will
only encourage corruption and a lackadaisical
attitude towards enforcement.
But we should not stigmatise foreign
workers in general. They have, after all,
contributed significantly to the growth of the
Malaysian economy over the years. They are
most welcome as long as they enter legally.
With the Covid-19 virus not likely to
disappear anytime soon, it is time to stop
the silly excuses and tighten our borders. We
just can’t afford another new wave of positive
cases.