The stories about how Malaysian employers are badly treating foreign labour is not anymore a rare occurrence. On the contrary, the media should be commended for exposing such cruel and inhuman episodes that certainly are chipping away at our national image and the reputation of our leadership.

And certainly these despicable episodes are also going against the very grain of our national policy of 'prosper thy neighbour' that was initiated by our former prime minister and welcomed in the region.

To try using public relations to manage perceptions in the wake of such sordid and ugly exposures of ill treatment, abuse and cheating is foolish and a waste of time and resources. It only treats a festering wound on the surface.

We have to have the courage to admit that our over-dependency on foreign labour - both legal and illegal - is fueled by the motive to bloat profits for stakeholders at the expense of foreign workers.

The authorities cannot be blamed for all these blotches although the case of illegals easily entering the country clearly attests that our policing is not effective. And to argue that one bad story of abuse does not negate the many personal accounts of honourable employers is not going to clear our reputation in the global arena.

It is therefore timely for the nation to start thinking outside the box in an effort to make the country less dependent on foreign labour. Here are some food for thought that relevant parties and agencies should give further consideration:

Make maid employment a skills-based industry. Setting up a curriculum that can train and certify maids to meet local and international standards will create a pool of human resources in the country that can provide alternate employment and a career pathway to our young and senior citizens who are currently losing out on so many job opportunities.

This will also curb employers from looking for cheap and unreliable foreign labour who always come with their own baggage of social and ethical values that may not eventually serve the needs of our progressive and unique nation.

The building industry needs to give greater commitment and support to training qualified locals to meet industry demands for skilled and semi-skilled labour. This will also ensure that our young have an attractive career pathway to meet current and future needs of the nation. Properly regulated and promoted, we may eventually even be able to export such 'knowledge workers' which will bring in foreign exchange.

Expose all employers and labour agencies who are suspected of profiteering and abusing foreign labour. The law enforcers must act fast and assertively on such individuals. In short, there must