A LOT of concern has surfaced over the Governments decision to bring in Bangladeshi workers.

Some say the timing is bad, others think that their services are needed in the construction, industrial and plantation sectors. With the global economy slowly but surely hitting our shores, it is perfectly right to question the necessity of hiring more foreign workers. But then are our locals willing to work in those sectors? I doubt there are enough takers for the jobs because Malaysians are typically complacent and choosy when it comes to work. Gone are the days when we could see Malaysians working in the construction industry or at plantations. Most of them find it demeaning. So, where do employers turn to when the locals shun those jobs? To have a balanced view, the influx of foreign workers in the past had deprived Malaysians of decent paying jobs. Why? Because logically, employers prefer foreigners as they cost less. The real issue now is: are the employers willing to offer a decent pay to local workers? Even if they could afford it, they will definitely go for foreigners to make more money. With so many foreign labourers flooding our country, which sensible employer would want to pay extra to hire locals for the same job? And which local worker would want to work for a paltry sum? To be fair to the locals, the Government should by right limit the entry of foreign workers into the country, especially during bad times like these. More and more Malaysians are in danger of losing their jobs. And where would they go? They might be willing to work in factories, construction sites and plantations but will they be paid their dues accordingly? Under such circumstances, the locals may even turn to crime or other illegal ways to earn money. Who is to blame? So, instead of depending solely on foreign labour, please look into the woes of the locals too. Pay them reasonably well, take care of their welfare and working conditions too. Overdependence on foreign workers will not benefit the country because the amount of cash flowing out of the country is alarming, not to mention other social problems! PETALING JAYA: Various organisations are against the Governments move to increase the levy on foreign workers, arguing that the extra costs will only be passed on to consumers. Real Estate and Housing Developers Association president Datuk Ng Seing Liong said it was not the right time to increase the levy as developers were in the midst of adopting the Industrial Building System (IBS).

Its definitely going to be a huge increase in costs for property buyers. It is counterproductive. We are implementing the IBS to eventually reduce dependence on foreign labour, which shows that we are working with the Government, he said. The IBS is a system in which construction materials and parts are pre-fabricated in factories and not on-site by labourers, which was the usual practice. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Illegal Workers, had announced on Thursday that the levy for foreign workers would be increased next year. Amnesty would also be granted to illegal foreign workers to return to their own countries without facing action. Malaysian Foreign Maids Agencies Association president Alwi Bavutty said the levy for the industry should not be raised from the present RM360 yearly. Employers now have to pay RM550 or more for monthly salaries and this will add to their burden, he said, adding that many Malaysians had no choice but to hire maids. Malaysian Indian Contractors Association president R. Muthiah said the move would increase the cost of bringing in foreign workers through Construction Labour Exchange Centre Bhd, a government-appointed agency. However, he said the association accepted that any levy increase would need to be tolerated by the industry. In Johor Baru, Malaysian Indian Business Association president K. Sivakumar said the Government should not make such decisions without a contingency plan. If such decisions are rushed, the countrys economy will be affected because many industries depend on foreign workers, he said, describing any such move as untimely. Most locals are not up to doing hard labour or do not possess the skills to perform the jobs that foreign workers do, he said, adding that there should be more night schools to train local workers in various skills.