1. Introduction There are two categories of the foreign labor in Malaysia: expatriates and foreign workers. The former refers to those who work as p

There are two categories of the foreign labor in Malaysia: expatriates and foreign workers. The former refers to those who work as professional, technical, administrative and managerial staff and are highly educated, trained in their specific filed and have some working experience. They numbered just under 75,000 in mid-2001. The latter refers to the mostly semi-skilled and unskilled workers involved in lowly ranked job categories spurned by local workers, the so-called 3D (dirty, dangerous, degrading) jobs. There is no accurate estimate of the number of foreign workers in Malaysia as different sources have different estimates. For example, 1985 estimated of 500,000, over 1 million for early 1990s and estimated that there were 1.7 million in 1995. According to official estimates, there were 290,000 foreign workers in 1990, 852,000 in 1995 and 749,000 in 2000. There were also substantial numbers of illegal workers. Some information reported that the authorities found about 1.2 million in Peninsular Malaysia alone between 1991 and 1996. Although the Asian Crisis resulted in workers being retrenched from certain sub-sectors, particularly construction, many have been re-deployed to other sectors which were still experiencing labor shortages, such as some sub-sectors in manufacturing and services sectors as well as the agriculture sector.

In the face of retrenchments and rising unemployment since the advent of the Crisis, the large presence of foreign workers became a major issue of concern. Foreign workers are mostly found in the manufacturing, plantation and construction sectors as well as working as domestic helpers. However, the sharp contraction in the construction sector plunged the number to just over 60,000 in January 2002. When unemployment began to creep up again in the new millennium, the impact of foreign workers on the unemployment opportunities of local workers came to be questioned. Given the fact that locals are not interested in the 3D jobs, Malaysia’s dependence on foreign workers will continue, particularly as the government is trying to rejuvenate the agriculture sector as one of its engines of growth. Malaysian workers can try to replace them in some of the most pleasant job categories, such as production workers and operators in the manufacturing sector. However there are some argued that, while manufacturing employers claim that they are unable to find local workers, it is possible that discriminatory wages may have contributed to their preference for foreign workers. Moreover, some employers view these workers as more reliable, disciplined, productive and easily controlled. As for expatriates, their involvement in the Malaysia labor market is also necessary in the course of attracting FDI, as foreign investors prefer to hire workers from their respective countries or those with appropriate levels of knowledge and skill.


Current situation all around the world including Malaysia especially economic downturn, forced our local industrial sector choose by using foreign worker rather than used local worker. Why it’s happened like that? From the study, we can know that some advantage that we can seeing came from by using the foreign worker, one of the cause is, local industrial sector can paid them more cheaply rather than local worker. Effect form the economic crisis, some industrial sector has a problem in their project progress like delay of the project, minimize in work force, and financial problem. By using the foreign worker, they can cover over half of the work and at the same time foreign worker only paid in small salary rather local worker. By using the foreign worker, local industrial sector can save their financial and at the same time they can use much more work force from the foreign worker.

The influx of foreign workers into Malaysia is not a new phenomenon. Looking at the concern issues, it is a task for the Malaysia government to search for mechanism in order to manage and control this phenomenon before it become worse. From a domestic perspective, there are several ways and strategies the Malaysia government may take to deal with this problem. To deter foreign workers from becoming involved in criminal activities, the Malaysia government should make an official agreement with the host countries that only labors with no criminal record can be considered for employment in Malaysia. Before they arrive in this country, a through briefing concerning the laws, values and culture and social aspects should be given to those workers so that a general awareness concerning what they can and cannot do in Malaysia may be known to them. It is also important to issue a special identity card for them which record their names, country of origin and other related information. That particular card must wear or carried with them at all times. In doing so, it will be easier for the enforcement departments to monitor their movement and take necessary action should the condition warrant.

Secondly, inn terms of health, a compulsory medical examination must be done twice. Once in their country of origin and again when they reach at Malaysia. A weekly or monthly routine medical check up should also be organized by local hospitals in cooperation with employers. Health record must be kept systematically, so that any fatal disease may be monitored and prompt action taken. The cost of this medical examination must be borne by the employers. Thirdly, in order to solve the problem of illegal settlements employers in Malaysia must be obligated to provide them with accommodation complete with basic facilities. When these provided, cases of government and local land trespasses will not occur. It must be understood that as long as the workers are provided with a place to stay then there is no need for them to find accommodations in local villages or to trespass on private property. Fourthly, both government involved must work together to maintain their borders to stop any illegal incurious. This manner of cooperation preserves border security. However, all the aforementioned suggestions cannot be successfully implemented if society itself refuses to cooperate. Indeed the locals are also engaged in smuggling workers from outside Malaysia to supply local industries which are desperately in need of laborer. Smuggling foreign workers into Malaysia has become a very profitable business and has attracted many locals.



As long as these activities take place, efforts by the government and concerned organizations will fail. In some cases, locals themselves become protectors of illegal foreign workers by not reporting their presence to the authorities. Their action encourages the foreigners to look at Malaysia as their future place to live because of the hospitality shown by the locals themselves. In orders for the control foreign workers to succeed, government must have a sense of commitment by showing responsibility in carrying out their duties. All institutions, including social group, political parties showing and non governmental organization must find a mechanism to deal with this problem. This is no longer a problem, for the government of the day; the issue of foreign workers has becoming a national problem.

The government can establish management system capable of updating concerning the training or workers by emphasizing the efficiency and quality of productivity rather the physical number of laborers. The industrial and manufacturing sectors in future should focus more methods and production system which are not labor intensive. Hence, the dependence on foreign workers will be reduced. The education system must be reformed as well. The subject taught in schools and higher institutions must be relevant, not only to the needs of the current economy but also to the aspirations of the leadership. What Malaysia needs is laborers with unlimited skills relevant to any sector and industry.

We should look to the needs of foreign worker at different perspective. Since there are certain sectors which are highly demanded, it will help to generate our economic growth. If we compare the total population of Malaysia with the demand for labor in the current market, it is obvious that Malaysia is still in need of foreign workers in order to maintain economic growth. The construction, plantation and services sectors at the moment are highly dependant upon foreign labor. The influx of foreign workers is inevitable. It will take time to satisfy the demand for labor and supply. The present foreign workers are still relevant in terms of Malaysia economic interest. But at the same time local should change their mind set of being choosing selecting only for glamorous jobs..Local should fight back by showing their interest in doing any kind of job.

Foriegn worker in malaysia

Malaysia has long prided itself as a model of ethnic harmony. There are about 21 million (July 1997) people in Malaysia from diverse backgrounds/races. It can be said that in diversity there is unity because in Malaysia all the races work and live together. The Immigrants to Malaysia are attracted by the low unemployment rates, as well, particularly those from Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.The country's three main races Malays, Chinese and Indians now find the problem of the situation an increasing numbers of foreign workers. As of December 2008, there were 2.06 million foreign workers in Malaysia, which relies heavily on them to help out in the construction and plantation sectors. Most of the workers are sourced from Indonesia, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Despite the economic downturn and rising retrenchment in Malaysia, Bangladeshi workers were still in demand as they were hardworking, efficient, obedient, easy to train and did not demand a high salary. Workers were known to be able to handle multiple tasks. The demand for foreign workers in the two sectors (plantation and construction) is very high at this moment. In spite of that, government cannot freeze on hiring foreign workers was only confined to the services sector. Locals had shied away from working in the two (plantation and construction) sectors. For locals to take up jobs in these sectors, there will have to be changes to make them attractive.The Human Resources Ministry is unhappy that some employers continue to employ foreign workers in sectors which have a huge bearing on the country's image. These include airports, hotels, restaurants, clinics and petrol stations. These are not suitable areas for foreign workers. They can be employed in sectors that are being shunned by locals such as in the plantation and manufacturing sectors or as domestic helpers. There are too many foreign workers already in the country and, besides, many of them have been laid.

Foreign workers

Developing Malaysia has relied heavily on foreign workers to help it build. A population of just over 27 million is filled out by 2.1 million foreign workers and estimates put the number of illegal workers in the hundreds of thousands. Most of these workers had mortgaged their houses and land to pay for the agents' and visa fees to come and work here. Unfortunately many of them were unable to find jobs.

This end up causing more social problems and increase the crime rates, as well as the spread of diseases and squatter colonies. These caused the locals uneasy. In recent years, the problem has turned serious and financially draining. The government has to spend hundreds of millions a year to look after those detained for working illegally and to deport them.

Apart from that there are claims that foreign workers are far much cheaper than local workers. However this is not necessarily true as there are some foreign workers such as Filipinos are not cheap. They are paid very much higher than locals, with additional bonuses, yearly free flights home, accommodation for the first three months. So do we need foreign workers? We are very sure that we do not want Malaysia to be a home to over a million foreign workers, almost half of whom are illegal immigrants, mostly from neighboring Indonesia.

Hence, the authorities especially government must take effective measures. There are many ways to improve the supply of labor without having to rely so much on the low-skill foreign workers. But more importantly, a long-term solution to improve our productivity efficiency and competitiveness is the only way to solve our human capital problems. Changing the quality and composition of the foreign workers will take time and involve painful adjustments. But this will benefit us in future.

BACK TO BASIC

What I think is better we know whom this foreign worker, from where and how they could be arrived here. We also need to know with any further foreign worker types occur at this country. I had already shared some as much as related to foreign worker through post I to the before this.
When we had already known all gala it’s new more attractive for us discuss different aspect also. Would be vital for us solve rudiment first; new we can step any further after this.
However, here I would like to express that all which will, on or had already I discuss and vomiting is opinion from me itself. And had no intention to hatch feeling or sensitivity any man no matter which still life or have died.
Through my first record entitled “WHO IS THE FOREIGN WORKERS”, I had already explained somewhat of real foreign employee meaning and foreign worker background and development this history. I hope that information can provide distinct image to all readers on this foreign worker.
I wish to share a little my opinion on issue is proposed by Mr. Johan previously. Thank you to Mr. Johan on issue and I hope this opinion of I could give a bit newly related knowledge this foreign worker with all together friends and I really altogether hope this opinion of I can answer all Mr. Johan’s issue. Maybe we can also say that the foreign worker will be held in group or industries, we also can separate they base on their countries, religion and many more aspect. In short form, we can say that this foreign worker will be separate base on all their demographic aspects because its to large to say but for more information and to make the type easier to understand, I’ll separate them base on their basic, the main aspects that we’ll separate them.
However that, to facilitate this discussion, I wish to touch related foreign worker types occur at this country. In order to we able discuss this subject with more attractive and right again. By easy its, what I note all this while.
There are two types live foreign employee from several countries like those mentioned by Khairul inside his record. Namely employees who had permit and illegal or easier employee for us understand as foreign worker without permission (CONCENTRATE). Two this group very different from motive and effect aspect they bring coming to this country.
As we know, our country needs energy very badly foreign labor to fill some sectors which greatly labor shortage. Especially such as construction sector, manufacturing, plantation and a few other important sectors, even there were some own government agency carry out foreign worker recruitment process.
However, if we follow the prescribed procedure in this recruitment of foreign workers is more effective and safe. This is because various criteria and aspect taken into account before approving each this foreign worker, in brief employees who we take must be who passed test and really responsible and with integrity to be working. It’s really different between employees who come illegally. They really had already made offence let alone when had already were in our country later.
The conclusion here, what I wish to present is related two foreign worker type found in this country. Namely employees who had permit to be working here and employees who entering our country illegally. We are not accepted this arrival of they here because illegal is illegal.

Answer My Opinion

Hello my fellow friend, for this time, i really want to know abaout the type of foreign worker in our country. Before this, i try to find the right type of this foreign worker. I also try to ask my friends and my family members but i still can't get the exactly answer.
Ones of my friend said, the foreign worker separate in some group and industries. he said that the foreign worker will be set their type by their place and industries that they work here.
maybe u all have other opinion about the type of foreign worker. Tanx..

TANX FOR CONTRIBUTION MY FRIENDS!!!!!

That’s one thing attract me to say something here. It’s related to what point that Mr. Johan said before in him post. He said that the lowest wage of foreign worker is the reason why employer or Malaysian people hire foreign worker in their company.
Actually, I didn’t want to protest or cut Mr. Johan ideas. However, I have my own opinion of somewhat presence reason foreign worker like Mr. Johan said before. I highly agreeable when Mr. Johan says that foreign worker offer critically low salary once and this necessarily give advantage to employers are mainly in increasingly desperate economic state now. We can see about quarter Malaysian people can employ the foreign worker. The salary that they offer incredibly cheap if we compared with salary requested by local people.
But we must remember now, they (foreign worker) no more as cheap as expected. Perhaps three four years predecessor we can say foreign worker's salary cheap. But no more nowadays. Just look how sparked recent uproar revolves of floor increase and decision new salary for shelf maid servant from Indonesia. Responsible party manage that foreign worker is moved aggressive by pressing Malaysian and proved government they became big-headed when see we as if too relenting to them.
If we further idle and relent, be salary possibility maid servant or servant already ranks with a senior government officer salary in this country of us. Let think and ponders some what I pronounce here. Another example I am able to give here about salary.
I wish to share my own little experience with readers. I have land broadly about a hectare that plant with oil palm. Every two week I will be cited and raking the farm. However, if I no opportunity I would hire Indonesia employee to pick product. Formerly I only will pay RM60 vicinity an acre for employee wages. However, recently I very surprised when that employee arrogantly it’s ask payment as much as RM120, increase hundred percent compared original payments. This situation may be could give some indication to readers of foreign worker extreme attitude nowadays. And did this gentlemen say that this foreign worker salary incredibly cheap? Keep thinking my beloved friends…

HAI EVERYONE

hi everyone... thank you for Johan because the point you given to us. i think it was a good point actualy for us to elaborate about the cause of the foreign workers and effect to Malaysia.
When we talk about the foreign workers in Malaysia as we know those people from India, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and little bit from Africa.We must know why those people choose Malaysia as a working place and come to migrate here. Like a Johan said Malaysia such as a stable country to compare with those country in economy and politic. So this its a good oppurtunity for them to make some money because in their country they are so poor and those cannot make some money and because of this reason those have to migrate to other country like a Malaysia to make extra money to their family and themself for a better life.
my opinion is they come here to make it some extra money and have a better life from last time.