Workers: Irene Fernandez

Irene Fernandez (1946-2014) was a Malaysian human rights activist. She co-founded Tenaganita, a non-governmental organization that promotes the rights of migrant workers. When she raised the alarm about migrant workers’ welfare in government detentions, she became the subject of one of the longest trials in the country’s history 

For Further Reading:

• Irene Fernandez, Champion of the Oppressed in Malaysia, Dies at 67
• Irene Fernandez defends rights of migrant workers despite conviction
• Our Founder: The driving force behind Tenaganita, Irene Fernandez

This month we’re talking about workers: Women who fought for labor rights and shaped the way we do business today. They advocated and innovated to make the “office” – wherever it is – a more equitable place.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Before we get started, a warning that this episode contains
mentions of rape. Hello form Wonder Media Network. I'm Jenny
Kaplan and this is Womanica. This month, we're talking about workers,
women who fought for labor rights and shaped the way
we do business today. They advocated and innovated to make

(00:21):
the office wherever it is, a more equitable place. Her
government denounced her as a trader. Human rights groups adorned
her with awards. She was a spitfire who committed her
life to fighting for the rights of migrant workers in Malaysia.
Let's talk about Irene Fernandez. Irene was born in Malaysia

(00:42):
on April eighteenth, nineteen forty six. Her parents worked on
a rubber plantation as plantation supervisors. When she was a kid,
they told her not to play with the plantation workers' children.
That is how Irene became aware of her country's social
and political divides. A relatively rich country uplifted in large

(01:02):
part by the labor of migrant workers. Foreigners make up
about fifteen percent of the workforce of the nation and
often do the low paying jobs that many Malaysians don't
want to do. These migrant workers come primarily from Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh,
and other Asian countries. They work on palm oil plantations
or construction sites, often under harsh conditions and for little pay.

(01:26):
In an interview later in her life, Irene described it
as slavery days coming back for her own career. Irene
started out as a high school teacher, but when she
was twenty three years old, she changed paths and became
an activist for the rights of migrant workers. She worked
for various labor and rights groups, including the Young Christian
Workers movement. In nineteen seventy two, she became national president

(01:52):
of the Malaysian Young Christian Workers. There, she organized the
country's first textile workers' union, held develop programs to establish
more trade unions, improve consumer education, and foster women leaders.
Nineteen seventy six was a busy year for Irene. She
joined the Consumers Association of Penang and helped launch consumer

(02:14):
clubs for secondary school children. As a part of the club,
students learned about basic needs, safety, and protection of the environment.
She also helped found Asia Pacific Women's Law and Development.
The organization brought together female lawyers and activists to look
at law affecting women across Asia. At the same time,

(02:35):
Irene was busy getting involved with several women's rights campaigns
and helping pass laws relating to violence against women. For
five years, she served as president of the All Women's
Action Society. The organization helped pass the Domestic Violence Act,
sexual Harassment Code, and incited changes to the laws related
to rape. In nineteen ninety one, she formed the organization

(03:00):
to Naganita. The word means women's force in Malay and
Irene and her colleagues put that force and energy to
good use. The organization started running shelters for migrants and
victims of human trafficking. At the same time, she also
worked closely with women in the electronics and agricultural sectors.

(03:20):
In nineteen ninety two, Irene served as the chair of
the Pesticide Action Network, which advocated for the elimination of
pesticides and the development of sustainable agriculture. In nineteen ninety five,
to Naganita published a report that gained lots of attention
and sparked controversy. Irene had interviewed more than three hundred

(03:41):
migrant workers who were in government detention centers. In conversation
after conversation, the workers revealed harrowing stories of rapes, beatings,
and inadequate food, water, and lack of medical care. As
a result of the report, the Malaysian government was forced
to admit that forty six people had died of various
medical conditions in its detention centers. In nineteen ninety six,

(04:04):
the government arrested Irene and charged her with maliciously publishing
false news. Thus began one of the longest trials in
Malaysian history. Irene appeared in court three hundred and ten times.
The prosecutor accused her of marrowing Malaysia's reputation. Irene was
undeterred by the ferociousness of the government. In an interview

(04:26):
with the Los Angeles Times, she said, quote, it will
give me an opportunity to write a report on jail
conditions and see what changes need to be made. Irene
had the support of Amnesty International, which in nineteen ninety
eight awarded her for her work as a defender of
human rights. She also received the Pen Award for Freedom
of Expression in the early two thousands. In two thousand

(04:49):
and three, after seven long years on trial, Irene was
convicted and sentenced to a year in prison. While she
was released on bail pending an appeal. She continued to
be awarded for her humanity work. Finally, in two thousand
and eight, an appellate judge reversed Irene's conviction. In twenty twelve,
Irene caught the government's ire again when she told an

(05:10):
Indonesian newspaper that Malaysia was not safe for foreign workers.
She pointed out that the country had no legal framework
or specific laws to protect them. Today, international human rights
organizations are still raising concerns about the welfare of foreigners
detained in Malaysia. In March of twenty fourteen, Irene passed

(05:30):
away from heart failure. She was sixty seven years old.
All month We're talking about Workers. For more information, find
us on Facebook and Instagram at Wamanica podcast special thanks
to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co creator. Talk
to you tomorrow.