LETTER | Our labour reputation continues to suffer

LETTER | The report by Malaysiakini "Indonesia to phase out sending domestic workers, says envoy" (Apr 11) must sound the alarm bells in Malaysia.

But will it? It seems like in all probability it is a big nought.

The report states that Indonesia will focus on sending its citizens to work in Malaysia’s formal sector and phase out domestic workers who were more vulnerable to abuse and forced labour, said its envoy here.

“Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono said his country was not interested in sending large numbers of domestic workers to work in countries where labour abuses frequently went unpunished...”.

If a migrant worker in our own homes is abused, can you imagine what a helpless, nameless, unknown worker in a large plantation or a huge construction project far away from public eyes will be enduring?

A promising Asian Tiger that worked hard at bringing this nation to be a proud beacon in the Asean region in the past, forgotten decades, today suffers a serious and unending series of seizures over its reputation.

Our human rights abuses stink to high heavens. It is no more a secret nor a fake news peddling.

Indonesia coming into the open and making a stand in the best interest of its citizens reveals how we have repeatedly failed in honouring cheap labour by the millions.

Today it is Indonesia. Tomorrow it could well be Bangladesh whose exports workers to Malaysia are already showing signs of long years of abuse in our backyards.

Do our politicians and all the custodians and guardians of right and good nationhood have no shame?

For how long more do we seek out millions of cheap foreign labour in order that stakeholders in Malaysia can reap the windfalls?

Making money is not a crime. But making it at the expense of human rights, the dignity of labour and against all the religious teachings we proclaim to believe in is the worst crime against humanity.

We depended on migrant labour for decades to build modern Malaysia. Should we not then be praised for taking care and returning the trust the neighbouring governments had in us?

Instead, our repeat records of abusive policies, exploitation and dehumanising working conditions are now making our progressive neighbours sit up and take the right action in the name of human rights and good governance for their own citizens' progress.

Not only are we still blatantly clamouring for cheaper foreign workers, but we are also even unable to ensure our own citizens have the benefit of a decent minimum wage policy.

When governments fail it is because political parties that secured the vote to govern have failed.

Political parties fail because of incapable leadership, excessively corrupt practices and tyrannical control.

If we truly love our nation we must demand by any means an immediate correction. Otherwise, we are all guilty of failing our own people, the king and the country.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.