The hands that build: Why we should celebrate Malaysia’s foreign workers

A couple of weeks ago, a friend sent me a video of a foreign worker being accosted by locals for purportedly passing unwelcome remarks to a woman.

What was most offensive about the video was its racially slanted caption: “This is what happens when the country is flooded with foreign workers, as the victims are our people.”

After viewing the video, I responded to my friend with the following comments:

• More sexual harassment and heinous crimes are committed by Malaysians than by foreign workers
• How often do we acknowledge the contributions of foreign workers to this country? Why is it only negative news about them that is highlighted?
• Can anyone enlighten me on the losses Malaysia would incur (in the billions of ringgits) if not for foreign workers?
• Do you know how many business sectors in the country would be adversely affected if not for the foreign workers employed by them?
• Enlighten me on the number of Malaysian families depending on foreign domestic help
• Educate me on the sectors where foreign workers have ‘stolen’ jobs from Malaysians

My friend responded simply, “You are right”.

Often, Malaysians are prejudiced and look down on the foreign workers among us.

Some employers even have the audacity to think of themselves as ‘maharajahs’ and their migrant workers as ‘slaves’ in their ‘fiefdoms’.

Not long ago, several employers were charged and sentenced to imprisonment for domestic worker abuse.

That said, there are Malaysian employers who are kind-hearted towards their foreign domestic workers and treat them fairly. Some of them take these workers along whenever the employer’s family goes out for dinner. A few even pay for their domestic workers’ return air tickets whenever the latter go back to their home countries for a holiday.

Foreign workers are brought into Malaysia to fill up employment gaps, especially in jobs that many locals shun.

Malaysia experiences dire labour shortages in labour-intensive industries and in the service sector. Apart from domestic work, many foreign workers are employed in construction, plantations and manufacturing. Others work in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and laundrettes.

Ethnic Chinese Malaysian workers previously dominated the construction sector, but today, they are a minority, as contractors and subcontractors. Indonesians and Bangladeshis now comprise much of the workforce.

Indian Malaysians previously dominated the plantation sector. But today, they are no longer interested in working in estates. Many of the workers in the plantations today are migrant workers.

The private security sector also relies heavily on foreign workers. Before that, most private security personnel were ethnic Malay, many of them retired armed forces and police personnel. Today, some security firms have no choice but to boost their workforce with Nepalese guards.

Many Alam Flora workers who collect our rubbish and clean our streets are foreigners. I have met a number of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis who work for Alam Flora, and they discharge their duties diligently.

Key sectors of the Malaysian economy would be seriously affected if not for these foreign workers. Without their labour, the country’s productivity and gross domestic product (GDP) would have fallen. Ordinary Malaysians would have paid the price.

Always remember these foreign workers have boosted the country’s domestic consumption and fuelled the economy. The economic multiplier effects of their toil are considerable. Indeed, migrant workers have contributed immensely to the Malaysian economy, and this should be appreciated.

I sometimes wonder where all the Malaysians who could have been working in these sectors have gone. Have there been studies into why they shun the sectors now dominated by foreign workers?

I often notice foreign workers at construction sites around Bangsar. Closer to home, I see Indonesian workers constructing my neighbour’s house. I have nothing but the utmost admiration for their work ethic.

The Indonesian construction workers building my neighbour’s house are versatile, hardworking and decent people. They often offer me a smile and engage in small chat with me. Occasionally, they have been helpful.

Every Saturday morning after my morning exercise, I have breakfast at a well-known Western restaurant in Bangsar Baru, staffed mainly by workers from Myanmar and Bangladesh. Their passion for their work and diligence are admirable. To me, they appear a cut above their local counterparts in every aspect.

So, the next time you encounter foreign workers, give them the respect they deserve. Don’t look down on them or view them as a burden to the nation. See them in a new light.

Of course, there will be a few bad hats among them. But these are few and far between, perhaps fewer than we think.

Remember, whatever our ethnic and religious background, religion, gender and social standing, we are all God’s children. From God Almighty we come, and to him we will return.

Our time in this world is fleeting. So, let’s avoid being arrogant and snobbish. Let’s not think we belong to the upper crust of society compared to foreign workers. Value humility in our daily lives.

A friend texted me a good morning message the other day, and it read: “Before we ask God for anything, let’s first thank Him for everything.”

This gratitude should extend to the foreign workers among us. They have contributed so much to the nation for so long and ask for so little in return.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

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