Minimizing foreign labor clashes

V.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia

All parties involved in the recruitment of foreign labor, such as employers, workers, embassies and the government, must work together to minimize fights between the different nationalities.

They all have a duty to ensure peace and harmony so that a conducive atmosphere is created for work to continue uninterrupted. Any untoward incidents will only make things difficult for the workers.

The government and Malaysians are getting worried and fed up with flare-ups between them, and while the fighting has been confined so far to the foreigners, there is concern that locals may get involved later on.

After every clash, the police and other security personnel have to step in to restore law and order, thus leaving them with less time to deal with other security problems.

Foreign embassy staff will have to play a bigger role in advising workers not to create trouble while in this country. They should know that they are here to work and not disturb the peace or disrupt production.

Their unruly behavior will only give their countries and nationals a bad reputation, and if they should persist in settling disputes through violence, Malaysia may have to stop employing them.

The government has adopted a more liberal policy in employing foreign workers as it has no intention to depend on only one or two sources for such labor.

If workers abuse this privilege, the government may need to take another look at its policy and perhaps restrict employment only to those prepared to obey the law.

It must be pointed out that they are here to work and nothing else. They have to realize it is never easy to work in another country, as it is a lonely life away from family and friends.

They should understand this before they accept any job. As many of them are from countries with homogeneous populations, it may be tough for them to work and live with those who are strangers to them in many ways.

They therefore face culture shock and many of them may not be able to handle the new situation. It will take time for them to adjust to the new environment.

Apart from work, there may be little or nothing to do, especially for those who live within the compound of their workplace or nearby. It is easy for them to become frustrated and disenchanted and it does not take very much to irritate them.