Several issues surrounding migrant workers and labour migration in Malaysia were discussed in Mr Adrian's second topic. It highlighted the reasons behind the Home Affairs Ministry's desire to limit the recruitment of migrant workers and its impact on wages. While Malaysian workers should have priority in job opportunities, the quality of their work is not always analysed, leading employers to prefer migrant workers who are often subjected to low wages and exploitative working conditions. Utilising migrant labour to replace multiple Malaysian workers brings economic growth but is morally questionable.

The talk also touched on the issue of undocumented migrant workers who are forced to pay large sums of money, up to 3,000 ringgit, to escape their situation. A parliamentary report in November 2020 revealed the creation of fake quotas higher than the regular Malaysian quotas, indicating abuse rather than corruption. The involvement of mediators and irregular health tests for migrants further complicated the situation, as those who failed the tests were allowed to continue working.

The impact of labour migration on the supply chain was also discussed, particularly in industries such as palm oil. Auditing processes aimed at ensuring clean supply chains were found to be faulty, leading to the need for substantial corrective measures later on. Malaysia was urged not to wait for international pressure to address these issues and to prioritise the fair treatment and protection of migrant workers, who currently do not have the same rights and benefits as Malaysian workers.

The role of unions in protecting workers' rights was highlighted, with certain unions opposing the inclusion of migrant workers. The need for collective treatment and standardisation of labour rights regardless of nationality was emphasised. Corruption was identified as a pervasive issue throughout the labour migration cycle, compromising border security and enabling job scams.

To address the challenges faced by migrant workers, the speaker called for a reset of the entire labour migration system. It was stressed that compromises should not be made at the expense of Malaysian workers, as it would result in lower wages for all. The advocacy for equal rights for all workers, regardless of nationality, was emphasised, along with the need for improved access to justice for migrant workers who often face detention without proper evidence and cannot seek legal assistance.

In conclusion, the talk shed light on the various issues surrounding labour migration in Malaysia, including low wages, exploitation, corruption, and the lack of protection and access to justice for migrant workers. The need for systemic changes was emphasised, including standardising labour rights and strengthening border security. The speaker called for a unified effort from various stakeholders, including law students, to contribute to the discourse and advocate for fair treatment and equal rights for all workers.