Are the poor and marginalised being short changed?

LETTER | The Association for Community and Dialogue (ACID) is concerned about the social narrative that is led by politicians and elites that seems to be more focused on the numbers infected by Covid-19 and the economic situation, without the corresponding concern for the poor and marginalised communities.

While the numbers affected are important statistics, which has been rightly done, it is also vital to balance up with concrete reports on the plight of marginalised communities.

They can be foreign migrant labourers and those who are staying in close encounters in flats where they might be having difficulties in adhering to social distance, and going through a medical test if they carry symptoms of the virus. 

There is a need to address some of those needs of the marginalised communities whose context of living could be prone to the spread of the virus, besides their income being affected due to unpaid leaves.

Furthermore, foreign workers are supposed to pay for a checkup in government hospitals and many of them might not have the cash and they might be reluctant to seek medical help especially in odd hours when their agents are not around.

Human Resources Ministry should initiate a meeting with agents of foreign workers and see the kind of help that could be offered to address their plight. 

The practical things that could be looked into are access to face masks, assurance of free, efficient test and treatment in government and private hospitals and their social-economic plight since they are told to take unpaid leave.

There is a need for balance perspective so that no want is left out or no stones are left unturned on combating this demonic virus that is taking a toll on the social well being of all Malaysians and migrant workers. 

The strength of a nation is not so much about the wealth it has but how it treats the poor and the marginalised in normal and trying times. The efficient and effective access to disease preventive equipment, medical test and treatment is paramount.

RONALD BENJAMIN is the secretary Association for Community and Dialogue.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.