On 14 July 2020, a panel discussion was conducted by Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT) on the topic, ‘The Role of Diplomatic Missions in Assisting Migrants during and beyond COVID-19’.
Ms. Kishna is an Advocate and Solicitor from Malaysia and works for the Malaysian NGO ‘Our journey,’ where she provides legal representation to migrants and refugees in labour, immigration and criminal cases. She also takes up human trafficking cases, rescues trafficked persons and carries out advocacy with the government. Ms. Kishna is the current Chairperson of Migrant Forum Asia (MFA),
She started her discussion by stating that she has been working with foreign missions on issues of migrant workers, specifically on immigration and labour issue. Role of various missions has amplified in the times of COVID-19, for those workers who have had to stay in Malaysia, away from their home, where they turned to missions of their respective native countries.
What did the missions do?
She said that Many migrants sending mission in Malaysia provided their assistance to the people of their respective nations. She shared an anecdote about the same. When govt of Malaysia did not provide the migrants with food, missions of their countries along with civil society organizations stepped forward to help their brethren, something missions don’t do, but they did in these times of crisis. The missions also provided necessary information on their websites about travel, visa and passport renewal, flights, and translation of government circulars. The missions also provided and coordinated charter flights but are very costly, and the migrants cannot afford them, due to exorbitant prices. Systematic consular support and assistance for passport was also being provided by the missions. Lack of monetary and human resources is a big problem, especially for migrant workers.
Where could have the missions improved?
Foreign nationals and migrant workers were arrested and detained in detention camps for a prolonged time, and were exposed to the virus, due to inadequate flights, unclear procedures and unwillingness of the missions to pay.
She emphasized on the fact that these were the crucial times where migrants expect the missions to pay, since they might lose their jobs. The government revoked the permission for the migrants to work and the missions should stand up for their native citizens.
She emphasized on the fact that for her mission’s primary duty and responsibility is towards its own people and then to the host government. She concluded by saying that missions must have dialogues and conversations with all stake holders including civil society organizations, migrant communities and diaspora on how to move forward after the pandemic and to ensure that the rights and protection of migrants is safeguarded.
Tejaswinee Jog, is an avid reader, fond of history, mythology and religion. She is from an army background, and travelling is her passion, especially if the place is historical. She is a fourth-year undergraduate student of International relations and Economics and wishes to make a future as a diplomat or work in the sector of defense, strategy and national security or maybe, RAW.