Govt's move to provide refugees with employment opportunities welcomed

PETALING JAYA: The government has been lauded for its move to allow refugees limited employment opportunities in the country.
Mercy Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus said this would be a first step in helping the refugees to seek a living here.
"We and all humanitarian workers in Southeast Asia especially welcome the statement by the government to allow limited employment opportunities in Malaysia. It is a myth that these migrants will take away our (Malaysian) jobs. The truth is they are doing jobs that we are not doing or not willing to do," he told the media after the Sultan Nazrin Shah Lecture Series 2016 at Sunway University here today.
He applauded the move that came about after intense discussions with stakeholders.
Ahmad Faizal added that Klang Valley especially has a lot of jobs that can be done by foreigners.
Meanwhile, the lecture series set the stage to raise awareness on "Migration, Displacement and the Age of Humanitarian Crisis", focusing on the plight of migrants from Syria, Myanmar and other countries.
"We have seen the extent of the migration and displacement issues through our efforts whether it is with the Syrian refugees in Lebanon or the Rohingya in Myanmar. Together with our partners this year we will highlight the crisis we are facing through in-depth discussions on the topic.
"We are encouraged that the lecture series is able to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and present possible solutions pertaining to global migration and displacement," Ahmad Faizal said in his speech.
William Lacy Swing, director-general of International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said it is no longer just disasters and conflicts that force people to flee their homes.
"There are also many softer issues like economy, currency and climate change that forces people to leave their homes. These people bring with them new ideas, new skill set as well as a drive due to their obligations back home," he said in his keynote speech.
The lecture series was graced by Mercy Malaysia patron, the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.