MEF Urges to Engage Stakeholders on Employment Access for Refugees

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has urged the federal government to collaborate with key stakeholders to create a comprehensive legal employment framework for refugees and asylum seekers residing in Malaysia.

In a statement released on Wednesday, MEF President Syed Hussain Syed Husman called for a multi-stakeholder approach involving businesses, trade unions, NGOs, and international organizations to develop a clear, rights-based policy that could benefit both Malaysia’s economy and its humanitarian commitments.

“We urge the government to work with all relevant parties to establish a clear and accountable system,” Syed Hussain stated.

He proposed that the policy framework should include:
• Legal status definitions for refugees and asylum seekers in the workforce
• A formal work permit system
• Clear delineation of employer obligations and worker rights
• Screening, job-matching, and monitoring mechanisms
• Skills training and certification recognition to ensure workforce readiness

Highlighting the current labour shortage in sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and care services, MEF emphasized the potential contribution of the refugee population already present in Malaysia.

“Allowing just 30% to 40% of refugees and asylum seekers access to formal employment could add an estimated 55,000 to 75,000 workers to the labour force,” he added, noting that this would reduce recruitment time and costs for employers.

The MEF also expressed its readiness to assist government agencies in formulating and implementing the policy.

This renewed call comes amid an ongoing federal review of employment policies concerning refugees. In February 2025, Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa confirmed that efforts were underway to refine a mechanism enabling UNHCR-registered refugees to work legally in the country.

Currently, Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. As a result, even refugees recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are barred from formal employment and must rely on informal or irregular job arrangements, often leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and instability.

As refugee communities—particularly the Rohingya—continue to face uncertain futures in Malaysia, MEF’s proposal marks a pivotal step toward greater protection, recognition, and inclusion within the country’s labour framework.

Rohingya Vision News