Drama 1.5 million Bangladeshis

ON 19 February, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the federal government immediately freeze the recruitment of foreign workers, including from Bangladesh. 

Is it true they will come?

The government's most recent statement on the issue of Bangladeshi workers. It began when, a few months ago, Zahid announce that we will recruit 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers. 

It has sparked a public outcry. This is because, on this day, we have been existing millions of foreign workers, including illegal, and the government does not seem serious in providing appropriate and protect jobs (as long as there is not just a job) to the people themselves. 

Objections to spread more widely when her sister told a story that involved a marketing company that Bangladeshi workers and local companies that bring in those headed by a former minister. 

Zahid gave two reasons why we need to bring in workers from Bangladesh. First, the government just to meet the demand of the employer / producer. 

Saifuddin Abdullah

However, the association representing that party denies that they have made such an application. Zahid replied by stating that some members of the association who apply. As if anyone would believe. 

Second, because our employees do not want to do the dirty work, difficult and dangerous (3D). The reason this is not reasonable. The fact is that many of us who work in 3D, but life miserable. 

Because his salary is very low. If the salary is appropriate, many of us who work in the sector. For example, in Singapore, Australia, on oil rigs and so on.

First, to work in 3D, Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Prai (MPSP) privatizing the contractor. Contractor pays a salary of RM450 a month. Surely they are not interested. 

Today, MPSB employing the workers. They are paid a basic salary of RM850 a month. With a housing allowance and so on, they get RM1,200-RM1,300 a month. Coupled with overtime, they can earn about RM2,000 a month. Therefore, today, 3,000 employees are local. 

If Zahid think the announcement on February 19 that has eased the situation, he was mistaken. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister criticized some leaders that the federal government is taking too long to explain this issue Bangla 1.5 million. 

Zahid made the announcement in Sarawak. Thus, it is seen as political, because the Sarawak election will be held soon. More politically is because it was made a day after Human Resources Minister Richard Riot signing in Dhaka on hiring 1.5 million workers from Bangladesh in the last three years. More political improved is his return to Kuala Lumpur, Richard said that 1.5 million is not for Malaysia only. 

But, even if Zahid made the announcement at another place, and the Sarawak election is still slow again, and no story that Richard, in an atmosphere of confidence in the government who are experiencing the worst crisis in the history of this, whoever does not believe anything they say. 

Therefore, we need to change and make real changes, including new policy work. What is needed is work 2.0.

Works 2.0 must be holistic. It must include, among others: the factors of long-term and short-term impact on economic growth, new jobs type, geographic employment, the role of balanced employers (government, business and civil society), re-structuring of some economic sectors, automation, minimum wage, employee welfare, equality (gender, race, disability, etc.), labor rights, the protection of local human resources, transparent policy on foreign workers, the work ability of our youth and brain drain.

By SAIFUDDIN ABDULLAH Sinar Online