bigsale
November 10th, 2007, 10:11 PM
The hiring of foreign workers in large numbers creates a negative impact to industries
KUALA LUMPUR: The hiring of foreign workers in large numbers has become an “addiction” among Malaysian employers and this must stop, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Umno president said there was too much dependence on cheap, unskilled foreign labourers, be it legally or illegally.
“The hiring of foreign workers in large numbers creates a negative impact to industries and hinders our efforts to go high-tech at a time when we have to switch to knowledge-based economy and advanced skills.
“We will not be able to achieve this target if we have too many foreign workers. High productivity and advancement is not important to them like it is to local workers. We must make sure this ‘addiction’ is addressed.
“We need to institute changes as soon as possible and make sure local workers are more skilled and knowledgeable to meet the challenges and needs of the industry,” the Prime Minister said in his winding-up address at the 58th Umno general assembly yesterday.
Abdullah said if productivity could be given a boost with the help of skilled and knowledgeable workers as well as a highly advanced system, this “addiction” on foreign workers could be stopped.
“Employers will realise how much this will benefit them. Not only that, the country will also be reaping profits from this,” he added.
Recalling earlier times when many stopped schooling after Year Six to go to work, he said it was now not sufficient to just have a secondary school education.
Therefore, said the Prime Minister, the Government has ensured free education so that no one could use poverty as an excuse for not sending their children to school.
Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/10/nation/19438319&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: The hiring of foreign workers in large numbers has become an “addiction” among Malaysian employers and this must stop, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Umno president said there was too much dependence on cheap, unskilled foreign labourers, be it legally or illegally.
“The hiring of foreign workers in large numbers creates a negative impact to industries and hinders our efforts to go high-tech at a time when we have to switch to knowledge-based economy and advanced skills.
“We will not be able to achieve this target if we have too many foreign workers. High productivity and advancement is not important to them like it is to local workers. We must make sure this ‘addiction’ is addressed.
“We need to institute changes as soon as possible and make sure local workers are more skilled and knowledgeable to meet the challenges and needs of the industry,” the Prime Minister said in his winding-up address at the 58th Umno general assembly yesterday.
Abdullah said if productivity could be given a boost with the help of skilled and knowledgeable workers as well as a highly advanced system, this “addiction” on foreign workers could be stopped.
“Employers will realise how much this will benefit them. Not only that, the country will also be reaping profits from this,” he added.
Recalling earlier times when many stopped schooling after Year Six to go to work, he said it was now not sufficient to just have a secondary school education.
Therefore, said the Prime Minister, the Government has ensured free education so that no one could use poverty as an excuse for not sending their children to school.
Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/10/nation/19438319&sec=nation