SBFS1103

FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION

SEMESTER SEPTEMBER 2013

SBFS1103 THINKING SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING

NAME

MOHD ZAIDI BIN ABIDIN

MATRICULATION NO

830507025163001

IDENTITY CARD NO.

830507025163

TELEPHONE NO.

0195572102

E-MAIL

mzaidi.abidin@moe.gov.my

LEARNING CENTRE

OUM ALOR STAR

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KANDUNGAN
Isi kandungan

m/s

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Background issues

3.0 Statement of the problem

4.0 conclusion

5.0 reference

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INTRODUCTION
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Foreign workers or foreign workers to Malaysia is workers from abroad who come to work or
to work in Malaysia for a period of time. This paper estimates the number of foreign workers see
who is in Malaysia now, the trend of unskilled foreign workers, foreign workers by country of origin,
by sector, interest earned by their country of origin, the benefits to our country Malaysia - the impact
on output and labor market an employment sector, the impact on wage rates, the problems faced by
Malaysia and some recommendations or steps to be taken by the authorities to minimize the problem.
To meet the national aspiration of becoming a developed nation by 2020, Malaysia has been
striving to enhance its competitive both in terms of infrastructure, capacity and quality of human
capital. Employee performance is a crucial factor in recruitment. Now reported, there were 80,000
unemployed graduates in the country (Mohd. Nahar Mohd. Arshad, 2005). At the same time, the
influx of foreign workers to meet the labor needs also to be dealt with the issue. Does this prove the
better performance of foreign labor from local workers?
According to Ahmad Kamil Mohamed (2007), Malaysia is the largest importer of foreign
labor in Asia. According to him, about 20 percent of its workforce made up of foreigners, mainly
located in the areas of construction, oil palm plantations and domestic service. Nearly half a million
illegal foreigners, mostly Indonesians have left Malaysia during the amnesty program which ended
February 28, 2004. This resulted in a lot of manpower shortage and cause losses of millions of
dollars to the industry (Utusan Malaysia, 2007, April 11)
In an effort to decrease the use of foreign labor government has encouraged the use of
automation sectors but to date relatively slow implementation process for automating the operation
of capital intensive. In Japan, operators operate most public warehouse at the port 50 in the
warehouse workers but Malaysia needs between 400 and 500 employees (Utusan Malaysia, 2004,
August 2).
Former Home Affairs Minister Datuk Azmi Khalid view that Malaysia is preferred foreign
workers because Malaysia is viewed affectionately by all races and religions (Utusan Malaysia,
2004, August 2). Foreign workers are also aware that Malaysia could not wait to serve them. They
have become one of the important components in the economy. They build office buildings,
livestock slaughter, paving highways, housing complex control and also a maid. These jobs are not
willing workable by Malaysians, especially the younger generation. The employers would rather
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recruit more foreigners because they work hard and show good performance with very little reward.
Cost of taking locals to work is 15% more expensive than employing foreign (Malaysia Today,
2004, September 8). By taking foreign labor, employers are not burdened paid their contributions
and did not even have to bear the medical expenses. Human Rights News Report (2004) shows the
majority of migrant workers shows good performance for fear of their permit terminated by the
employer and sent back to their country of origin. Most people in this country often linking crime
such as burglary, theft, robbery and extortion of foreigners especially foreign labor from Indonesia.
Thus local people often feel threatened and unrest even more so when they live in an area
that became the center of foreign workers. Dato 'Haji Noh bin Haji Omar was touching on this topic
in the Eleventh Parliament Report 2005. He said the murder involved foreign labor in 2003 and in
2004 increased to 320 cases, and until April 2005 has involved 43 cases. Similarly, cases involving
injuries such as section 324, in 2003 to 2004 the case increase from 192 cases to 291 cases. This
means that the number of cases involving injuries sustained by 51.5%.
Statistics have shown crime among foreign workers is very high. About 50% of the 49,000
prisoners held in prisons across Malaysia are foreigners and their influx exacerbates overcrowding
in detention facilities (Daily News, 2007, July 22). 55% of crimes committed are crimes such as
murder, theft, rape and robbery. (Utusan Malaysia, 2004, August 2). Former Home Minister Azmi
Khalid said repeatedly immigrants as "national security" (Malaysia Today, 2004, September 8).
Discussed data proves that more foreign workers do not perform well in their jobs and instead they
engage in negative activities. The question is, why is the performance of foreign workers is
declining? Is it their welfare is not well cared for by the employer?

BACKGROUND ISSUES
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There are 72% of Indonesian migrant laborers legitimate are women (Kompas, 2005, May
11). Most of the women's labor movement is concentrated in a very low income and not coordinated
as a maid.
Most of them become migrant workers because they want to get bigger salaries and better
opportunities. 2006 statistics show that there are 310,000 Indonesian maids working in Malaysia
(Utusan Malaysia, 2007, June 17). Employers prefer hiring Indonesian maids because of cheaper
wages. Indonesian maid salary is between RM450 to RM600 compared with Filipino maids have to
pay a minimum of RM760 per month (Nan Yang Siang Pau, 2007, May 24).
The results of studies conducted by Maid Work Forum and the Institute For Ecosoc Migrants
Right showed 114 Indonesian maids in Singapore lost due to work accidents, suicide or other causes
since 1999 to 2005 (Kompas, 2005, May 11). This high mortality figures prove that the minimum
coverage among Indonesian maid. Malaysia due to failure in making changes to the weaknesses of
immigration and labor agencies, many domestic workers who have fallen victim to employers and
labor agencies are heartless. Malaysian Labour Law, which protects most categories of workers,
specifically excludes domestic workers from the provisions of the Act.
The results of studies conducted by Maid Work Forum and the Institute For Ecosoc Migrants
Right showed 114 Indonesian maids in Singapore lost due to work accidents, suicide or other causes
since 1999 to 2005 (Kompas, 2005, May 11). This high mortality figures prove that the minimum
coverage among Indonesian maid. Malaysia due to failure in making changes to the weaknesses of
immigration and labor agencies, many domestic workers who have fallen victim to employers and
labor agencies are heartless. Malaysian Labour Law, which protects most categories of workers,
specifically excludes domestic workers from the provisions of the Act.
Nirmala's case has an impact on the Malaysian government to take care of the welfare of
maids. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has submitted his statement in the Daily
News (2004, May 21) that the severe punishment to those involved in the abuse of the signal to the
outside world that Malayisa not tolerate any form of abuse of foreign workers . According to him,
the maid employer will be charged on two counts under Section 326 of the Penal Code for
intentionally causing serious injury and two counts under Section 324 of the Penal Code for causing
injury. Sections 326 and Section 324 respectively provide maximum sentence of 20 years and seven
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years and fined for each charge (Kadir Dikoh, Shamsul Kamal Hassan Omar and Amarudin, 2004).
About 90% of domestic workers in Malaysia are Indonesians (Natural Yulpisman, Nizam
Yatim and Anand Kumar, 2007). Unfortunately the report of Human Rights Watch (HRW) has been
showing thousands of Indonesian maids working in Malaysia are being abused, their welfare has
been neglected by the employer due to government policies in both countries fail to provide
protection to them. Malaysian law does not include domestic workers in the Acts protection and
workers' rights in Indonesia there is no specific law to protect migrant workers.
According to Executive Director of Human Rights Watch Women's Rights Division,
LaShawn Jefferson, Indonesian maids are treated as second-class human beings. They have to work
hard but are exposed to the minimum facilities like adequate food or less balanced and severe sleep
conditions (Human Rights News, 2004, July 22). According to Human Rights Watch report (2005),
Indonesian domestic workers mostly work 16 to 18 hours a day, 7 days a week and just get by on
less than U.S. $ 0.25 per hour. Many employers who withhold salaries of domestic workers until
their contracts expire for 2 years.
Hong Kong began to provide care for this. They are trying to ensure their domestic workers
receive adequate rest of the day, proper salary and working time limit and the right to join
associations.
Coalition for Migrants Right (CMR) The country is an association in Hong Kong to
safeguard the rights of migrant workers. Payment of foreign domestic helper salary minimum is
HKD3, 270 since 2003. In 2006, the Hong Kong government has raised the salary for migrant
laborers of foreign domestic helpers. Salary increase last year has been a big HKD50 HKD80
(CyberNews, 2006, June 1). However, the Coalition of Labor Rights of Migrants still looking this
increase is still not enough compared to their contribution to the economy of Hong Kong.
In a Human Rights Watch report (2005) also touches on the rights to freedom of foreign
maids in Malaysia. Most domestic workers are prevented from leaving their work and many of
those who suffered psychological abuse, physical and sexual abuse committed by labor agencies
and employers. NGOs and the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has received thousands of
complaints from maids about working conditions, wages and abuse they have experienced over the
years.
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Former Home Affairs Minister Datuk Azmi Khalid argued that the case maid disappeared is
because situations or inappropriate workplace and the employer does not take care of them as work
over time, heavy workloads, does not offer facilities such as sufficient food and because the various
vagaries of employer attitudes or torturing them. He added that some of them did have a plan before
coming. They have brought the phone number syndicate or group that protects them to work in other
places such as restaurants and cafes with more income (Utusan Malaysia, 2004, August 2).
Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Minister of Home Affairs has revealed that from 2002 to
2006 an average of 1200 people per year have escaped maids. He added that there were 6,800 people
fled the maid home early five months of 2007. This shows that the case is more serious escape. He
has stated that the maid agency action will be taken not only of the employer because research shows
some maids escape is the reason instigated by agencies who want to get more profit (Sin Chew Daily,
2007, May 16).
China Press also reported on cases of fleeing maids on May 21, 2007 which states that the
average new 2007 case involved a maid ran away is 1200 people per month. Studies conducted by
China Press shows only 1% of them run away because their welfare is ignored by employers and job
stress, while 99% is because they want to find a boyfriend who is working in Malaysia. Though
their passports are kept by employers but they are willing to become illegal immigrants.
Ministry of Health and Ministry of Interior instructed create health inspection system as
implemented Fomema Sdn Bhd for supervising and monitoring the health test for foreign workers.
In the Daily News on 30 January 2004 has been reported that all employers must provide health
screenings to migrant workers at the end of the year so that foreign workers in Malaysia are always
in good health (Salina Abdullah, 2004). Now, reports of foreign workers is a requirement for a work
permit renewing. Health checks conducted to detect drug use, HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis, epilepsy
(crazy pig), cancer, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, malaria, leprosy and mental
illness.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad has submitted that Fomema (Foreign
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Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency) has detected 40 cases of tuberculosis in the day
and almost 15.850 cases per year in foreign labor during the annual health examination. According
to him, the main source of foreign labor contracting this disease is because of their severe working
conditions without adequate rest. Some women migrant laborers are brought from tuberculosis
infects HIV disease suspected they were involved in prostitution to hold a work permit maid or shop
assistant (The Star, 2006, March 15).
Another recent case reported by Nan Yang Siang Pau (2007, June 10) stating that the maid
has infectious TB disease is of two hosts. Tan Boon Heng employer very surprised to learn her maid
had TB infects through Fomema report a second time. Mr Tan was surprised to find that the maid
TB disease can get a work permit. In the work permit application process, Mr. Tan has helped frisk
her maid in one of Fomema through maid agencies. Mr Tan was very disappointed with the actions
that the agency intentionally want to hide Fomema first report.
Datuk Dr.Chua Soi Lek, Minister of Health has revealed that there are 25% of the patients in
government hospitals are foreign workers. Malaysia's Ministry of Health has found that between 1.3
million foreign workers are 3.4% or 4 hundred thousand foreign workers face a variety of diseases
including tuberculosis, HIV / AIDS, leprosy, tuberculosis and cancer. He argues that the welfare of
foreign workers was ignored by employers, they have to work even in unhealthy conditions. He also
urged that the employer must provide medical facilities to workers without cutting their salaries and
given sick leave if sick that their welfare is always cared for (Sin Chew Daily, 2007, April 6).
On July 7, 2005, The Star reported a new rule to take foreign maids. The new rules hurt the
employer because they were required to pay the first month salary. Early months of salary cuts for
some administrative costs provided to the agency currently is not allowed (Audrey Edwards, 2005).
However, most employers and agencies ignored the new rules.according Human Resources Minister
Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, foreign labor should give fair treatment as local labor and is
protected under ILO convention. According to him, the employer is required to report to the
government about the situation or working conditions of foreign workers, facilities received by
foreign labor from time to time (The Star, 2005, November 14). PUBLIC (All Women's Action
Society) believe that the maid is also an employee, they should be protected by the labor and are
entitled to overtime, sick leave and other facilities as other employees then they will show a good
performance (The Star 2006, February 16).
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
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According to Dessler (2000), to mean the level of performance of a task carried out, in which
it affects the individual perfection in meeting the needs of the assignment. Now, performance is very
maid doubted by the employer during the hiring foreign maids. Among cases that often occur as the
case away from home, child abuse host, murder and theft. According to the report of Human Rights
Watch (HRW), 2004, one of the causes affecting performance among Indonesian maids because their
welfare is ignored by the employer. International Labour Organization (ILO) evaluate legal
protection for migrant workers still getting low. Laws in Malaysia do not include foreign maids in
the Acts of workers' rights protection. Based on the statement submitted, this study was undertaken
to identify the aspects of the welfare of maids, maid job performance review and further explore the
influence on the welfare of domestic work performance.
CONCLUSION
The arrival of foreign workers in Malaysia can be said to be menampung kekurangan labor in
Malaysia. If they lead to the advent of the workforce in excess of available job opportunities in
Malaysia, then it will reduce employment opportunities for local people. Now, the arrival of foreign
workers increase labor supply in certain economic sectors and their impact on the Malaysian Foreign
Labor 131 increase national output and lowering wages or salary for employees in the sector. Many
of the migrant workers who come, the more low wage rates in a particular labor market. Arrival of
foreign employment can be availed to their own country and also to the recipient country like
Malaysia. Country of origin can make unemployment rate and the rate of "under employment" and
will changing foreign currency, while the recipient gets workers to overcome labor shortages in
certain economic sectors such as agriculture, construction, factory and service. In addition to the
benefits available, the entry of foreign workers into the country we have also taken steps to monitor
and pro-active measures as recommended above. Otherwise, the entry of foreign workers will affect
employment opportunities for local people. Problem due to the influx of side- foreign workers to
Malaysia will become more serious, can not be controlled and will bring many social problems,
politics and crime in our country now day.

REFERENCES
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Utusan Malaysia, 2007, April 11
Malaysia Today, 2004, September 8
Human Right News (2004)
Utusan Malaysia, 2007, Jun 17
Human Right News, 2004, Julai 22
Sin Chew Daily, 2007, April 6
7 Julai 2005, The Star
Nan Yang Siang Pau (2007, Jun 10)

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