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IMPACT OF THE

FOREIGN WORKERS
INFLUX IN MALAYSIA

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Contents Pages
1.0 Introduction 3
1.1 Current Problems 4
1.2 Managing the issues 5
2.0 Problem 6
2.1 Competition with local labour 7
2.2 Spread of dangerous diseases 8
2.3 Increment in criminal activities or social problem 9
2.4 The Language Problem Issue 10
3.0 Solution 11
3.1 Giving priority to local people work in various sectors 12
3.2 law enforcement by the government 13
3.3 Eliminate illegal migration 14
3.4 Provide them training basic language 14

4.0 Evaluation 15
5.0 Conclusion 16

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1.0 Introduction

Recently, the increasing number of foreign workers in Malaysia is indeed a concern


to many parties especially in various industries in particular. Malaysia is using the foreign
labour as an asset of national development, particularly in the construction industry and
production. According to the (Economic Report, 2010/2011) by the Finance Ministry,
there were 1.8 million registered foreign workers in Malaysia, 38.2 percent were financial
in the manufacturing sector, 16 percent in the construction and 14.2 percent in the
plantation values. In this regard, local labour depletion problems experienced by Malaysia
resulted in the country had to use foreign labour to fulfil the industries of the country.

Malaysia is one of the country's many Asian countries receiving foreign skilled
labour, semi-skilled and unskilled workers from abroad, these workers are mostly from
Indonesia, Bangladesh and so on, in various industries, whether local or international. We
can see which statistic shows that the use of foreign labour in the construction sector,
which in Indonesia in Malaysia from 2006 to 2010, 2008 (183,961), 2009 (172,329) 2010
(151333). Although it could have a positive impact on the development of the country it
also able to threaten social life of society. The studied about the influx foreign workers
made to look how the use of foreign labour gives a big impact on political, social and
economic.

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1.1 Current Problem

However, the use of foreign labour raises many negative impacts than positive.
Therefore, it can be seen in terms of foreign labour abuse in politics. In the administration
of the country, there are a few people who have a selfish attitude which in abusing foreign
labour for political gain is simply like foreign labour and used them as a tool in election
polls recently and given valid citizenship to them.

In addition, creating a social outbreak exist harmful threat such as Mycobacterium


tuberculosis, and cholera. This disease a result of the construction of squatter construction
site they cause indirectly lead to the disease.

Next, the foreign labour dependence also cause competition among local workers in
the same job as the use of foreign labour is much cheaper compared to local labour
employer.

In addition, the communication problem is also one of the impacts of the use of
foreign labour. Usually, language problems exist when foreign labour cannot be master
English as communication between employers. This situation cause misunderstanding
because the information provided by the employer to a foreign labour in contrast to what
directed this existence difficulties in employment.

Economic problems may also be caused the countrys dependent on foreign labour
since there are differences between money that goes in and out. When the country is
dependent on foreign labour the amount of currency going out is more than the amount of
currency than goes in. The country will have a problem decline value points from time to
time.

Finally, the number of criminal cases is also increasing the. Electronic media, has
shown a lot of crime going on of late are from foreign countries, especially from
foreigners who are employed but have other intentions of threatening our country
security.

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1.2 Managing the issues

Influx of foreign workers in the country is very alarming to various parties,


especially those women who are constantly exposed to danger. This matter needs to be
addressed immediately to the local communities so that local people can live a
comfortable life. In addressing this issue, various parties should unite to provide comfort
to the community, especially the responsibility of the government for which the entry of
foreign workers in the country are involved from country to country. Among the issues
that can be covered is the purpose of foreign workers coming to this country, and their
qualifications as foreign workers, and their background history.

In terms of the manufacturing sector, foreign workers are not denied the salaries they
are cheaper than local workers. However, the surplus of foreign workers has to some
extent restricted the opportunities for local workers to find money at the same time the
unemployment rate is very high. This can cause the local communities have to with
outsiders but in this case, preference should be given to local workers because they are
more entitled to get more than foreign workers. In conclusion, local workers must
increase their efforts even harder to win the competition in the job market.

In terms of communication, foreign workers who come to the country, most of them
do not have basic local language and this gives a little problem in the workplace.
Instructions given by the manager is not the same when the instruction is received by the
worker and this can cause a variety of problems occur. In this case, this problem can be
resolved if the training given to their language class to learn the local language while was
studying the local culture. This training should be given by the board to ensure that orders
received may be done well. Conclusion, understanding communication between each
other is very important in an organization so that the information to be submitted should
be accepted.

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2.0 Problems

Wong and Anwar (2003) as cited by Hamzah Abdul-Rahman (2012), highlighted that
Malaysia is one of the countries which has become the focus of foreign workers and it has the
highest ratio of illegal foreign workers in its workforce. Undeniably, the entry of foreign
workers into the country has left its mark on the local community and to some extent may
contribute in the industrial field. For general information, entry of foreign workers has left
many negative effects than positive impact on society in the country. Their presence has
somewhat threatened the life of the local community who can bring many problems. They all
come into this country to overcome the labor shortage in the Malaysia construction market,
over-dependence on foreign workers and the negative impacts induced have become a serious
social problem. Migration may affect a country in term of social, economic, and political
factors, and there are many fundamental tensions that underlie efforts to manage international
migrant in a globalizing world (Yap, 2004).

This has shown more foreign workers given priority over local workers. As we know, the
salaries paid to foreign workers is far cheaper than on local workers. This cannot be ruled out
that migrant workers are beneficial to the industry to save on their operating costs. In the
context of the national economy, we can see the output of cash flows to other countries has
caused our Ringgit currency has fallen sharply on nowadays . The government should take to
address this issue seriously to ensure that Malaysia is able to compete with other developed
countries. From that journal that research, many problem effects foreign workers in this
country such as the language problem issue, social crime, illegal disease bring by them

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2.1 Competition with local labour

According to the statistics showing that about 2.5 million jobs in Malaysia and the
available workforce of 11 million people for any sector. The arrival of foreign workers in the
country are considered a necessity of labour in Malaysia yet despite the interest, if they result
in the arrival of labour force exceeding the available job opportunities in Malaysia, will
certainly affect the opportunity job to local people. For example, contraction sectors many
fully by foreign labour regardless of skilled or skilled. This problem occurs when the
difference between workers labour exist foreign and local workers. In this regard, foreign
labour has willingness to take lower wages compared to local workers (Shafii, 2009). In the
construction sector, local workers consider that it was inappropriate to cause their feeling less
interest for working in this sector. Finally, causing employers to find the initiative to more
foreign workers to cater for this sector as well as to minimize the cost. As the situation
continues to cause the unemployment rate among local labour will increase and result in
household income will decrease causing the existence poverty.

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2.2 Spread of dangerous diseases

The influx of foreigners also threat health Malaysians indirectly. This is so because,
the study shows that Malaysia has been certified free of certain types of dangerous disease
but the inclusion of labour began to cause the spread of the disease. Although many foreign
workers who have a valid permit to undergo health and examination to work in the country
but the fact is that many foreign labour that commit fraud regarding the status of their disease
especially Indonesians. As for example curbing dangerous like syphilis, HIV, AIDS, malaria,
cancer, and Hepatitis b as well as leprosy. Therefore, local workers who mingle these foreign
workers would most likely infect. The spread of the disease is also caused by the opening of
the dirty squatter houses in construction areas up to stagnant water and exist be breeding
aides mosquito. Although many foreign labour, but valid exist also foreign labour into the
country illegally cause they miss from the medical examination. For instance, diseases from
foreign labour were AIDS through sharing needles injection drug addicts through the HIV
virus spread. Therefore, the influx of foreign labour which is valid or not is indeed a
dangerous illness to spread in the country.

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2.3 Increment in criminal activities or social problem

The crime rate in this country is a concern and this has raised some uncomfortable feeling in
the citizens of this country, especially women. Hyoji (2007) as cited Abu Bakar (2002)
explain that the foreign workers involvement in total crimes was about 2 per cent in 2002,
with a ratio of 3.8 crimes per 1000 foreigners as opposed. These research shows that they
come into this country have others purpose besides to find the job. They took the opportunity
to release their satisfaction and to show their abilities to the people in this country. Therefore,
society must help each other to each other to ensure harmony of universal life.

Crime rates are always to rise from out of the year and most of their victims are children and
women. The large number of foreign workers is seen as a security threat as it associated with
rising crime rate and contagious diseases (Kanapathy, 2008). Social crime such as namely
robbery, snatch theft, rape and murder can lead to death as a result of irresponsible behaviour
by some individuals. If we care about current issues, especially in the mass media have
informed that the crime occurred in this country can happen to anyone regardless of age.

National statistics in 2005-2007 increased from year to year and robbery cases recorded the
highest crime rate if the kid in comparison with other crimes, namely, by 65 percent in 2005,
72 per cent in 2006 and by 75 percent in 2007. The robbery is the second highest record
followed the rape and murder. This needs to be taken seriously by everyone because it
involves the lives of people. In conclusion, people involved in this social crime must be dealt
with severely according to his works.

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2.4 The Language Problem Issue

Loosemore and Andonaski (2007) as cited in Bust, Gibb, and Pink (2008) explained that the
existing language problem among foreign workers, it cause affect any activity that involved
compliance with work safety and health. Communication is vital things when we want
communicate information to people who are around us. We know that communication is the
transfer of information between or among people. Wah (2002) as cited in OConnor, and et.
Al (2005), explains that critical language problem in the country also contributes towards
accidents that occurs at construction side. When the information failed to reach the people
who are supposed to, it can cause a variety of problems that can affect the surrounding
communities.

Communication helps managers to perform their jobs and responsibilities. Company must
establish an industrial intermediate language in a work to ensure that the information to be
delivered to the recipient clearly. For low-skilled foreign workers that have problem in local
language, the manager must be concerned about their employees by giving them basic
training on the language. Phenomenon of influx of foreign workers since early 1980ies has
effect the language problem issue especially in the construction industry that had caused
unpredictable accident. From 50 percent of the employee agreed and 41 percent of them
agreed strongly that the existence of communication problem (language) among foreign
workers in the industry had contributed towards the accident risk and workplaces (Haryati,
2009).

The researchers show the research had done by them, almost the accident in construction
caused by misunderstanding in communication in each others and causing the information to
be conveyed is not as ordered. Researcher also provide that 48.7 percent of the foreign
workers are unable to understand the instruction that was presented because of the lack of
understanding for the English language whereby 66.7% of the foreign workers make mistake
in their work as they do not understand the orders (Trajkovski & Loosemores,2006).

The results of a study conducted by researchers have shown, 13.9% is the root of the problem
of communication between each other, which has caused damage in an industry. Even though
the foreign people helps raised the country in aspect economy, the communication issues also
contributed other problem.

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3.0 Solution

If we have problems, there is a way to solve the problem. In the case of foreign workers, we
need to see from many angles aspects; so that problems can we face together. In this context,
all walks of life that have Malaysian citizenship must be united in addressing the problem of
excess foreign workers is the right way. The problem of foreign workers is no stranger to this
country and this case involves between countries to country. The parties have to work hard in
this case is the government because they have the absolute power to issue certain commands.
Influx foreign workers had caused problems and this should be taken seriously by all parties
how they think to solve the entire problem. Thus, there are various ways to overcome such
problems is to impose legal action for the industry that do not follow the standard recruitment
of foreign workers, impose appropriate punishment to those involved in the crime and so on.

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3.1 Giving priority to local people work in various sectors

To address the problem of where most of the sectors in Malaysia depend by foreign workers
fully, the Government should give priority to local workers to work in various sectors in our
industries labour. The Government plays an important role in promoting the interest of local
people to the diversity of the sector in Malaysia either sectors of the construction industry, the
manufacturing sector, agriculture, trade and so on. In the construction sector, the Government
can attract the interest of Malaysians through awareness campaigns to influence local workers
especially for also together in the construction sector as well as provide incentives economic
privileges to participation of local workers in the industry such as bonuses, promotion and so
on. This will create awareness on them as an opportunity to work in the industry. The
Government can also enhance support to firms and industries to limit the use of foreign
labour and to provide opportunities to the local people. In addition, the Government also hone
local unskilled labour through the establishment of institutions across the country such as
vocational school, skills Institute school to produce skilled labour in every State and reduce
unskilled labour. Therefore, local workers will meet every job sector in the country and avoid
the problem of competition work in every industry in Malaysia.

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3.2 Law enforcement by the government

Enforcement of the law firm shall be carried out in the country to curb the problem of
harmful disease infections as a result of the influx of foreign labour. The Ministry of health
shall conduct health examinations prior before brought to Malaysia. Health check can be
performed twice or more, namely examining made in their country and in the country. When
the outcome of the inspection shows that the infection or disease, the Ministry of health has
the right to send back to their country of origin. In Malaysia, the Ministry of health need to
regularly make examinations to the foreign worker. For example, each year all foreign
workers are required to undergo medical examination and compulsory to all employees. If
there are employees who do not cooperate, firm action must be charged as prison or fined
compounded. In addition, the corresponding enforcement should also enhance strict control
in the area and identified the small lanes that facilitate illegal immigrants into the country.
Therefore, the problem of carrying disease can be overcome with existence law enforcement
by country.

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3.3 Eliminate illegal migration

Malaysia is one of country in Asia who received many foreign workers. Malaysia record a
total of 2 million registered (document or regular) foreign workers as of year-end 2008
(Ministry of Finance, 2010). The government should take serious about it as well as to reduce
the surplus of foreign workers in the country. Every industry in this country need to comply
with any instructions given by some parties, especially in the case of foreign workers.
Foreign migrant workers should be reduced in accordance with the requirements of the
national economy to ensure that current economic conditions are always to be stable. Among
the measures that can be taken to reduce foreign workers is subject to strict qualification to
ensure that employees take is exactly the quality. Aspects to be taken into account as their
educational background, prior criminal record, and so on.

If the government wants to restrict foreign workers for temporary time, it is a good
suggestion. This is the best way hold the foreign workers entry this country and it give an
opportunity for the locals to get a job at the same time can reduce the rate of unemployment.

3.4 Provide them training basic language

Understanding the communication is very important to ensure that the information to be


communicated clearly get it. In the case of foreign workers in the country, they can be given
basic training in the language used by an industry. Managers can help this problem with
language learning classes provide in accordance with the requirements. Classes can be held 1
week 1 once and this helped a foreign worker to communicate. Construction worker facing
high injury risks because they have had less training on safety and health as they were less
able to communicate in English (OConnor et al., 2005).

Habit intermediate language that is the language used in communication Malaysia and that
managers could provide language courses for foreign workers and at the same time ensure
that foreign worker to able communicate the usually language use by local community like
Bahasa Malaysia or English.

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4.0 Evaluation

Today, foreign workers become an essential thing for the industry labour because their
payment for the jobs is cheaper than the payment local people. They employee must know the
effect from this activities for local community and country and it also must see all aspect so
that the welfare state is preserved safely. This continuous exposure of foreign entry this
country will cause the negative impact for the society. With unlimited access of thinking the
foreign workers, the local workers have limitation to find the jobs which the industry gives
priority for the foreign workers. Not of foreign workers give negative impact for the country,
certain of them is very good but as we heard the news today, most of the crimes are involved
outsiders. The law should be pertaining on the spreading of negative impact of foreign
workers. According to official news, there are now about 1.2 million alien workers in the
country and the number of the total, between 500,000 and 700, 000 are illegals workers. The
number show significant tally and it could bring the problem for this country. As a result, the
crime social always rise year by year and has led the local people do not feel comfortable
with their presence. Foreign workers has caused various problems and this should be taken
seriously by all parties to the current problems can be reduced. Rob is the highest note of
which involved foreign workers if you want to compare with the other social crimes. These
things can be overcome if the offender is appropriately punished for their behaviour. As the
power and the negative of foreign workers become greatly day by day, the awareness of it
should be improve and the community should learn about the effect so that they can handle it
with care. We need to prepare them for what is coming because the effect influence to all
everyone before this problem start to become more serious and undoubtly will pose a
problem in the future.

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5.0 Conclusion

In conclusion, it is undeniable that foreign workers be able to solve the problem of shortage
of labour, especially labour market in the construction sector in Malaysia. The study shows
that many employers using foreign labour in their sector due to low wage rates and a high
quality of work. Even, as a result of the dependence on foreign labour would indeed lead to a
negative impact to the community and the country. The study shows that the effects of the
use of foreign labour led to the spread of infectious diseases through a variety of ways, either
through foreign workers entering the country illegally or exist few undocumented deceptive
their health status or construction area of squatters. In terms of the impact of competition,
shows that the incidence of poverty among Malaysians in the construction sector is increasing
due to the construction sector fully by foreign labour and will influence unemployment in the
country. As a result of the employment result in households do not have a fixed income until
exist poverty. Therefore, the Government and the authorities must play an important role in
large negative impact from the community in the country. The role played by the Ministry of
health is important assets to ensure medical examination apply to foreign workers due to
double-click where the inspection is made in the home country and the country in the
country. Meanwhile, the border enforcement to increase monitoring in areas of suspected
entry of foreigners in the country through lanes hiding them. The Government is also limiting
the intake of foreign workers in every sector in this popular place for an employee only meets
the sector in the country. The establishment of the institution is also one of the drastic
measures taken by the Government to hone young talent to produce skilled labour. The
problem of the use of foreign labour exist is also a communication problem where most
among them difficult to communicate Malay language properly cause the instructions given
by the employer is difficult to understand. Therefore, employers should establish a seminar
for those who are not fluent in the Malay language to facilitate communication in terms of
employment. Social crime problem is also one huge increase in foreign labour admission.
The consequences for top a foreigner who are not working and has no income looking for the
easy way by means of committing crime. Therefore, the Government must revoke the
admission of foreign labour. Through future research aspects, we wish a study of the impact
of negative foreign labour in Malaysia will be enhanced through a more thorough study of
foreign labour so as not to bring the problem to the country and to expose Malaysians about
the differences between foreign labour and local labour in the diversity of the sector.

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