Why not hire our own people?
Why not hire our own people?
For me, it is something new to read a point of view such as
that so publicly stated by Nirwan Idrus (The Jakarta Post, April
17, 2001: Not all expats are experts).
What is important and what we need to do at this stage is to
improve our work force. Good work ethics and values must be
reimplanted and improved. Why should we hire someone from abroad
if we can provide the expertise?
The question is whether we can provide the personnel with the
same work ethics and values so that everything can be
accomplished as planned beforehand.
Just consider the cost (around US$2.4 billion per annum) we
have to bear as the result of hiring expats and what about the
end result?
Wouldn't it be better to hire our own people with equivalent
qualifications so that the expense can be minimized. Meanwhile,
however, we should also concentrate harder on finding the right
expats for the jobs available. Given this, should we impose a
kind of fit and proper test?
If the working conditions and facilities are significantly
improved, it is probable that work ethics and values will improve
significantly, also. Don't be too quick to blame the prevailing
poor work ethics of our people. Why do they perform
unsatisfactorily? What is it that really causes them to be like
this?
Could it be the low salaries and poor fringe benefits, or
mistreatment that they have received at the hands of their "big
brothers" and "sisters"? If they were to receive the same
"facilities" as the expats receive, would they still perform
badly?
Definitely not. If they were "highly" paid and they perceive
crystal-clearly where they are heading in their careers
with all of the lavish facilities that will be received over the
next few years, of course there is a great possibility that they
will be afraid of losing their jobs. Accordingly, they will
definitely do anything in order to realize their objectives.
At the other end of the scale, the expats really enjoy
luxurious facilities and have all their basic needs fulfilled.
Once they have reached this stage, no wonder, they can focus on
their performance, resulting in high quality work.
But if they go back to their countries, will they still have
access to the "high-class" facilities offered here? I doubt it.
In their home countries, I am sure the competition will be much
stiffer.
To conclude, it would be better for us not to discuss whether
expats are experts or otherwise. Rather, it would better for us
to consolidate and improve our image so that we are also in
demand in our own country.
This isn't easy. Many of our so-called most able personnel are
either studying or living abroad, and they refuse to return. They
should actually come back and do something for this nation in
order to apply what they have learned and achieved abroad.
AGUS SANTOSO
Tangerang, Banten
For me, it is something new to read a point of view such as
that so publicly stated by Nirwan Idrus (The Jakarta Post, April
17, 2001: Not all expats are experts).
What is important and what we need to do at this stage is to
improve our work force. Good work ethics and values must be
reimplanted and improved. Why should we hire someone from abroad
if we can provide the expertise?
The question is whether we can provide the personnel with the
same work ethics and values so that everything can be
accomplished as planned beforehand.
Just consider the cost (around US$2.4 billion per annum) we
have to bear as the result of hiring expats and what about the
end result?
Wouldn't it be better to hire our own people with equivalent
qualifications so that the expense can be minimized. Meanwhile,
however, we should also concentrate harder on finding the right
expats for the jobs available. Given this, should we impose a
kind of fit and proper test?
If the working conditions and facilities are significantly
improved, it is probable that work ethics and values will improve
significantly, also. Don't be too quick to blame the prevailing
poor work ethics of our people. Why do they perform
unsatisfactorily? What is it that really causes them to be like
this?
Could it be the low salaries and poor fringe benefits, or
mistreatment that they have received at the hands of their "big
brothers" and "sisters"? If they were to receive the same
"facilities" as the expats receive, would they still perform
badly?
Definitely not. If they were "highly" paid and they perceive
crystal-clearly where they are heading in their careers
with all of the lavish facilities that will be received over the
next few years, of course there is a great possibility that they
will be afraid of losing their jobs. Accordingly, they will
definitely do anything in order to realize their objectives.
At the other end of the scale, the expats really enjoy
luxurious facilities and have all their basic needs fulfilled.
Once they have reached this stage, no wonder, they can focus on
their performance, resulting in high quality work.
But if they go back to their countries, will they still have
access to the "high-class" facilities offered here? I doubt it.
In their home countries, I am sure the competition will be much
stiffer.
To conclude, it would be better for us not to discuss whether
expats are experts or otherwise. Rather, it would better for us
to consolidate and improve our image so that we are also in
demand in our own country.
This isn't easy. Many of our so-called most able personnel are
either studying or living abroad, and they refuse to return. They
should actually come back and do something for this nation in
order to apply what they have learned and achieved abroad.
AGUS SANTOSO
Tangerang, Banten