Malaysian plan to let refugees work spurs advocates’ call for safeguards

Malaysia’s plans to allow registered refugees to work legally have raised hopes among their communities that have long relied on precarious informal employment to survive, even as Thailand’s experience suggests that such a move is only part of the solution.

Thailand has reportedly thousands of refugees taking up formal jobs under a scheme introduced last year.

As for Malaysia’s initiative, refugee advocates say it will need clear registration procedures and workplace safeguards to make it...