Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
But over the years, Workers Day has become just another day. This year it falls
on a Sunday, which means an extra day off on Monday for most. But that will
not apply to those who work in jobs or places where the days of rest are not
so clearly defined.
<p>The 9-5, five-day-week job cycle is no longer the norm. The worker of today
may work not only longer hours but he will have to contend with spending more
time commuting to and from work. </p>
<p>Or he may, because of the well-connected global village, be working from dusk
to dawn handling the needs of people across the world. </p>
<p>The changing workforce has also changed the family environment. The domestic
help, from nearby countries, has become part of the family unit. Too busy to
cook at home, one is also likely to be served by a foreign worker in the 24-hour
mamak shop down the road. </p>
<p>There is no doubt that Malaysia is a land of opportunity. The workers from
other lands, legal or otherwise, are here to find their rezeki in jobs that
Malaysians no longer want to do. </p>
<p>In reverse, there are also Malaysians working abroad, excelling in their work,
but still feeling the pangs of being away from home. </p>
<p>On this day, we need to remind ourselves that the worker of today is different
from the worker of yesterday. And it will be even more so as we head towards
the future. </p>
<p>The issues of unemployed graduates, a strong immigrant workforce, the globalised
economy and the digital divide, for example, were not issues that policy makers
and unionists had to grapple with in the early days. But these are serious issues
today and we are still struggling to find the answers. </p>
<p>Policy makers need not have all the answers, nor do the unions. But a lot can
be done if we lend a sympathetic eye and ear to the workers around us. If we
see workers as people and not as statistics, each of us will, in our own way,
be able to help determine a future that will address the real issues and make
the workforce, which we are all a part of, be a vibrant one that enhances our
quality of life. </p>
<p>In this special pullout, you will get a chance to meet some of these real people
with real stories to tell. </p>
<p>In the tales of the ordinary, we hope you will gain some extraordinary insights.
Consider this: Somewhere in Shah Alam, a group of disabled people diligently
put together greeting cards and other paper products. Their pay cheque is only
two digits but it is like a fortune to them. It is not charity but an honest
month’s pay for an honest month’s work. </p>
<p>If productivity is measured against one’s abilities, these people should certainly
be amongst those nominated as best workers of the year. On this Workers Day,
we salute the workers of Malaysia.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com