I am peeved.
A survey initiated by the Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry Malaysia (Jactim) had stated that 91 percent of the 172 Japanese companies alleged that Malaysians lacked morale, common sense and discipline. And they love foreign workers.
Fine. So foreign workers might have higher education and more motivation, and hence, the morale to work so as to remit the money home.
How does morale come about? Morale drives the worker. Morale retains the worker in their own will. Morale happens when the worker is well treated and is cognizant of the companys genuine concerns for his life beyond the workplace. Perhaps the Japanese companies who perceive local workers as lacking in morale can examine their own possible lackadaisical attitude towards them.
What about discipline? What do these companies mean by "discipline"? Have our local workers been acting up in behavioural problems? If they have, then by all means, report them to the International Trade and Industry Ministry.
Earlier this month, the minister herself Rafidah Aziz had opened an invitation to the disgruntled Japanese companies to liaise directly with her ministry about their grouses. Miti is also taking a proactive step by asking Jactim for the names of the Japanese companies that had made the allegations against their local workers. Kudos to Miti!
What is common sense? What is common to one may be peculiar to another. Are our local workers in these Japanese companies patiently trained? Are adequate resources given to training?
Common sense is cultural, and depending on ones nurturing environment, the gumption and resourcefulness is developed together with ones natural ability.
I dare say that nurture plays a bigger part. In any cross-cultural relationship, care must be taken in comprehending one another, and not accusing the other of being less clever when seen in ones own narrow perception.
One last point, the survey reveals that some 22 percent of the respondents are contemplating moving their operations to China because of the larger domestic market and cheaper labour cost. While foreign direct investment can aid an ailing economy, its opportunistic and profit-oriented orientation can only bring harm as it constantly looks out for gateways to lower cost and higher returns.
Similarly, foreign workers will leave when earnings are sufficient. Then, their employers will have to hunt for new employees. The cost of replacing a worker may exceed the base salary of an individual. The foreign worker may be motivated temporarily, but will they stay put when things are not too rosy? For what? Altruism? No. So, why not invest in the drive and morale of the local worker, who has personal and familial stakes in the society?
In the long run, will the influx of foreign elements do any good to our economy and to the society in general? Their allegiance to Malaysia is also questionable. Once conditions seem less cheery, will they pack up and leave us in the lurch? Are they dependable? Lets ask ourselves do we really need foreign elements in our country? Thats some food for thought.
