Migrasi Antarabangsa dan Polisi Awam: Kajian Terhadap Proses Penggubalan Dasar Pekerja Asing di Malaysia

Abstract

Abstrak: Artikel ini mengkaji dilema serta polemik dasar pengambilan pekerja asing seiring dengan faktor migrasi transnasional dan kebejatan kebanjiran Pendatang Tanpa Izin (PATI). Penyelidikan dijalankan menerusi perspektif proses penggubalan polisi (policy decision-making process) dalam Pengajian Kerajaan dan Pentadbiran Awam (Government and Public Administrative Studies). Kaedah penyelidikan kerja lapangan kualitatif dijalankan dengan menemubual pelbagai responden yang terlibat secara langsung dan tidak langsung dalam penggubalan serta pengurusan pekerja asing di Malaysia. Sampel responden dikategorikan kepada pegawai kerajaan iaitu mereka yang terdiri daripada Ahli Jawatankuasa Kabinet Mengenai Pekerja Asing dan Pendatang Tanpa Izin (JKPA-PATI), serta pegawai bukan kerajaan seperti wakil majikan dan pekerja, Badan Bukan Kerajaan (NGO) dan ahli akademik. Hasil kajian mendapati penglibatan pelbagai pihak dalam pengurusan pekerja asing dan kekaburan matlamat menjadi dua elemen yang mewujudkan pertikaian utama dalam perlaksanaan polisi ini. kajian juga mendapati wujud pelbagai pihak yang terlibat dalam pengurusan pekerja asing di pelbagai peringkat penggubalan dan pelaksanaan Dasar Pekerja Asing. Hal ini telah mengakibatkan berlaku percanggahan dalam proses perlaksanaan dasar tersebut sehingga proses dan titik akhir polisi yang berkaitan dengan pekerja asing tidak selari atau bercanggah dengan prioriti keselamatan negara dan kepentingan nasional Malaysia. Secara keseluruhannya, kelemahan serta ketirisan yang dikenal pasti adalah suatu risiko dan kos terhadap polisi awam, baik di peringkat penggubalan mahupun pelaksanaan, khususnya mendepani cabaran mutakhir peningkatan jumlah PATI. Ini suatu indikator penting bagi sesebuah polisi awam yang kurang berjaya tetapi boleh diperbaiki. Dapatan kajian ini sebenarnya adalah peluang untuk membantu penambahbaikan berterusan serta usaha sedia ada negara dan masyarakat secara menyeluruh.

Kata Kunci: pembuatan dasar, kelemahan dasar, pekerja asing di Malaysia,

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0201.2022.03

Maklumat Artikel: Tarikh penghantaran: 8 November 2021; Tarikh penerimaan: 13 Februari 2022; Tarikh Penerbitan: 1 Julai 2022.

Penghargaan dan Pengistiharan: Para penulis merakamkan penghargaan kepada para penilai tanpa nama (anonymous reviewers)kerana kesudian penilaian serta cadangan penambahbaikan kualiti manuskrip. Tiada potensi konflik berkepentingan sepanjang proses penerbitan. Sukacita kami ingin menzahirkan penghargaan kepada Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia dan Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) kerana membantu menjayakan penyelidikan ini dari segi kewangan dan pentadbiran. Kami juga ingin mengucapkan jutaan terima kasih kepada pihak responden yang terlibat kerana sudi berkongsi maklumat, idea dan masa sepanjang menjayakan kajian.

Abstract: This article examines the dilemmas and polemics of the policy of hiring foreign workers in line with the factors of transnational migration and the influx of Illegal Immigrants (PATI) in Malaysia. Research is conducted through the policy decision-making process in Government and Public Administrative Studies. Qualitative field research methods are performed by interviewing respondents, directly and indirectly, involved in the formulation, implementation, and management of foreign workers in Malaysia. The sample of respondents is categorized either by government officials, namely, those who consist of members of the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers and Illegal Immigrants (JKPA-PATI), or non-governmental officials such as representatives of employers and employees, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and academics. The results of the study found that the involvement of various parties in managing foreign workers and the ambiguity of policy goals are two elements that create significant disputes in formulating and implementing this policy. In addition, the study also found that various parties are involved in managing foreign workers, either in the formulation or performance of the Foreign Workers Policy. This has resulted in discrepancies in the policy implementation process so that the process and endpoints related to foreign workers are not aligned or in conflict with national security priorities and Malaysia's national interests. Overall, the weaknesses and leakages identified are a risk and cost to public policy, both in the formulation and implementation of foreign workers policy, especially in facing contemporary challenges of the increasing number of illegal immigrants. This is an essential indicator of a public policy that is less successful but can be improved. The findings of this study are to assist in the continuous improvement and the existing efforts of the Malaysian state and society.

Keywords: policymaking, policy weaknesses, foreign workers in Malaysia,

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0201.2022.03

Article Information: Submission date: 8 November 2021; Acceptance date: 13 February 2022; Publication date: 1 July 2022.

Acknowledgement and Declaration: The authors express their appreciation to the anonymous reviewers for their willingness to evaluate and suggest improvements to the quality of the manuscript. There is no potential conflict of interest throughout the publication process. We want to thank the Ministry of Education Malaysia and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) for helping make this research a financial and administrative success. We would also like to thank the respondents who shared information, ideas and time throughout the study's success.