- Foreign Workers are stealing jobs from Malaysians - majority of the foreign workers here work in the lower end of the job grade such as construction labourers, plantation labor, farm labor, cleaners, dishwashers and the like. In order to apply for approval for a foreign worker, the employer is required to advertise in the Human Resources JOBS portal. Guess how many Malaysians respond to it? I have had to do it and the answer is ZERO. When I ask, the comments I have received is "We do not have candidates interested in those jobs". So, why do we add beauracratic levels to the process? The other area of foreign workers that should be addressed is the higher end of the jobs such as engineers in O&G industry, IT and the like. These are high paying jobs that you find a lot of foreign workers in. If what the powers-that-be want is better paying jobs for the Rakyat, then look at this area. Do not waste time postulating on foreign labours and making it difficult for employers. If they are legal, make it easy for continued renewal of permits because the reality is, Malaysians DO NOT want to be labourers.
- Foreign Workers commit crimes - Let's look at some of the more frequent occurring crimes like snatch thieves. Most of it is committed by Malaysians. If the crime is committed by an illegal foreigner, then it is an issue of controlling the borders and catching them. These are not foreign workers. Do not mix the two. The illegal foreigners committing crimes include from many nations not just the ASEAN region. Check the fraudulent crimes and syndicates - these are not foreign workers with a working permit. In fact, quite a few cases involve those here on a student visa! However, as in the case of many humans,regardless of nationalities, there are times when the foreign worker commits crimes and this should be addressed as such and not to stereotype all the foreign workers as being potential criminals.
- Easy for Foreign Workers to become Malaysian Permanent Residents - Have you checked out the process for becoming a Malaysian Permanent Resident? Staying in Malaysia for more than 5 years is only one of the items in a LONG list of qualification items. Just look at the hoops that foreign spouses have to jump through in order to become a permanent resident! From a legislation point of view, just make it so that if you are here in Malaysia on a working permit, that does not qualify for the duration of years required for you to live in Malaysia in order to become a permanent resident. Is that so difficult?
- Foreign Workers Get To Enjoy Free Healthcare in Malaysia - All foreign workers are required to have health insurance and workman's compensation. As part of their work contract, medical care is part of the package that employers have to provide. The issue is not foreign workers getting healthcare BUT illegal foreigners using the Malaysian Healthcare System. Focus on the issue!
- Foreigners are usurping Malaysian business operators - Foreign workers are here on a working permit performing a job at the specified company of business, They do not own business, Foreigners NOT on a working permit operate businesses so the issue here is not Foreign Workers but foreigners misusing their visas. This is NOT a foreign worker issue but an enforcement issue. Again, focus on the issue and do not make emotional blanket statements of how the foreign workers are overrunning Malaysians and taking business opportunities away from Malaysians.
It is time to stop politicking and making statements that you feel will make people elect you, whatever the post maybe in associations, NGOs, or political. It is time to understand the country's need for continued economic growth and well-being of the Rakyat. So, this normal rakyat who is operating a small farm requests that the government ease the renewal process of the permit of our workers.
