Social Security: Case of Foreign Workers in Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

Social security programmes for migrant workers in ASEAN countries comprises of old age, invalidity, survivors, medical care, sickness and maternity (cash benefits) and employment injury. In the case of Malaysia, migrant workers in formal sectors are protected under the Workman Compensation Act 1952 which covers, among others, employment-related injury, medical benefit, old age and maternity benefit except for sickness benefit. Based on the findings, Malaysia has yet ratified neither the conventions nor the recommendations from International Labour Organization. The authors also found out that there are differences between local and migrant workers due to different sets of rules and regulations applied for both type of labour. Therefore this paper attempts to provide explanation of the above stated scenario based on case studies compiled regarding social security practised on migrant workers in Malaysia, particularly in the state of Sabah.