Interview with volunteer interpreter in UNHCR office, Malaysia
VOCR
March 08, 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
VOCR interviewed a volunteer interpreter in Malaysia UNHCR office on March 08, 2009. There are 54 volunteer interpreters in Malaysia UNHCR office including some locals for Tamil and Chinese languages and some for Somali and Arbic languages.
Most of them are from Burma. VOCR would like to apologize for using nick name "Mr. Bridge" of the volunteer interpreter for his security.
VOCR: Do you get any payment? How do you find living?
Mr. Bridge: Even though I am a volunteer, I got paid 50RM per office day. However, my family and can not fully depend upon this income. I usually inevitably spend RM10-15 per day from every office day. My family and I stay in an apartment that cost RM500 per month. Estimate for the rest!!! All of the interpreters facing the same financial problems like me.
VOCR: So why are you still working if you do not have enough payment?
Mr. Bridge: That is what I have been told, too. We interpreters have been told that there are two doors; one to come into the office and the other to go out of the office. Many applied to be
volunteer interpreters in UNHCR office so the office can kick me out any time. But it is not the best solution. Even though I am paid not enough, I do not volunteer for payment, I actually volunteer to work for refugees and UNHCR office. Even if I were not paid I might still be working.
VOCR: Are all interpreters paid or treated equally?
Mr. Bridge: No, most of interpreters who are refugees from Burma are inferior to other interpreters and thus paid mush less financially and in terms of respect. May be because we are
refugees, we are human being but lower than others. However, I am still happy to work as volunteer interpreter.
VOCR: Do you have any special offer because you work in this office?
Mr. Bridge: No, I am just like other refugees in terms of opportunity. I do not receive any special offer. I do not expect it either. I even feel that because I work here, my resettlement
process is more delay. And because I am volunteer here I am not permitted to be EC member of refugee community. So, I may say I get special offer just to work as interpreter under the
protocols of the office.
VOCR: What are roles of interpreter in UNHCR office?
Mr. Bridge: Just to interpret interviews or translate documents. Interpreters are just like the bridges that link not only the two different languages but also two different cultural backgrounds. Sometimes I am afraid that the refugees might feel assaulted by the way the questions are asked.
VOCR: Have you ever encountered with such ‘assault’?
Mr. Bridge: May be I have and may be not. Whether I would be citizen of Malaysia, US or Europe etc… in terms of human rights, I wish we would respect one another. Whether a desperate refugee, a well known politician or UNHCR staff or interpreter we are supposed to have mutual understanding and respect to one another.