A Malaysian man recently shared an image of a foreign worker sleeping on the floor of a stairwell, sparking a heated debate regarding what foreign labourers should and should not be permitted to do in Malaysia.
Lawyer Azam Aziz took to his Facebook page to highlight the situation, showing how the individual was using the building’s stairwell as a makeshift bedroom.
A life of extreme frugality
In his post, Aziz wrote:
“This foreign worker likely earns a salary of RM1,500 a month. He probably sends as much as RM1,000 home to his family abroad every month. He sleeps here daily without paying rent.
“Although it isn’t comfortable, he has reached an arrangement with the building’s security guard so that no one will chase him away.”
Aziz continued to detail the man’s lifestyle:
“He only eats what his fellow foreign comrades who work at the food stall in the building give him. He bathes and uses the washroom in the complex’s toilet. He also prays in congregation in the complex’s surau.
“There is no need to spend money on fuel, tolls or entertainment. Admit it, we locals will only be able to live like this if we, too, migrate to other countries.”
What would happen if all foreign workers did this?
The post led many Malaysians to express concern that more foreign workers might opt to sleep in public or communal spaces.
“It is fine if it is just one person, but what if 200, 500, or 1,000 people do this? Many Malaysians have moved abroad, but they still pay for rent, even if it is only for a small storeroom. If we behaved like this overseas, it would ruin Malaysia’s reputation.”
“It’s okay if it’s just one person. What if all the foreign workers do this? This cannot be allowed; the management needs to take responsibility.”
“Don’t allow this. If companies cannot afford to provide accommodation, send them home. If there are too many of them, it’ll turn into a risk for local workers, especially ladies when they’re leaving work at night.”
“From another angle, he’s not paying taxes, he’s using public transportation, he uses water and electricity for free. Our money gets sent out of the country. This can negatively impact the country.”
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