Hardworking Local Workers Urgently Needed

 Many sectors in the country are facing the problem of getting good, skilled and hardworking blue collar workers/employees. Hard to come by these days. Many good ones had retired or on the way to retirement soon. The younger generation in our country are not so keen in working in sectors which require hard/heavy labour and the ability to withstand harsh condition such as in agriculture, building/construction or mining. Many are more literate as well as educated these days due to our education system and policy.This new generation prefer jobs of comfortable environment and doesn't involve hard labour. Who doesn't? It's natural of course and goes without saying. In addition, many grow up in protective environment and better family condition compare to last time with air-conditions, computers and hardly need to lift their fingers at home; be it doing house chores or be under the sun. Are our new generation turning soft?

   Many employers from different sectors are facing shortage of workers. Unlike thought by many that employers prefer foreign workers due to their low pay, actually most employers prefer to recruit local workers. Less fuss actually. This is because the total fees/amount for levy, procedures, wages, miscellaneous fees, etc. come up to almost the same or sometimes more than the wages for locals. Then there are many laws to follow involving foreign workers which employers find tedious. On top of that, the ever changing regulations regarding foreign workers are also causing confusion among employers. Sometimes unlucky employers face losses for some foreign workers who ran away after working for a few days or weeks. In addition, unions and the government are pushing for higher pay with applause from workers of course but many small industries/sectors are going to 'die' because of this. The cost of maintaining a business has grown so much that small scale businesses are struggling to perform under tight budget. The global economy crisis is still there and slow to pick up. Difficulty in getting local workers leave many employers with very little choice but to take the risks of employing foreigners.

   The attitude of many local workers have gone down the drain through the years unlike the older generation.

Many can't stand working under the sun, not interested in working overtime during peak season although given double or even triple pay, can't be reprimanded..... They want easy work, high pay, taking off without notification..... come and go as they like.....always manage to get medical certificates from somewhere, a lot of excuses to work less... If fire them...then no workers (a lazy worker is better than none), don't fire them..... where's the self-esteem of an employer? Not that easy to manage workers these days...(Sigh...)

Prescription : When working, give your best

(2.05.11-Monday)