Construction industry needs to re-think policies

The Star 27/08/2002 By V.K.Chin

THE Human Resources Ministry recently disclosed that some employers have been selling some of their “excess” foreign workers to other companies in urgent need of such labour. 

This goes to show the extent some unscrupulous people are prepared to go to in order to make money. 

They are the ones cashing in on the labour shortage following the crackdown on illegal immigrants resulting in tens of thousands of such foreigners returning home to their respective countries under a government amnesty. 

It is believed that some syndicates are involved in such a scam and it is imperative that the enforcement agencies make a special effort to stop this law breakers or else it will be more difficult for genuine employers requiring such workers to recruit them legally. 

Since the Immigration Department is aware of such an illegal practice, it stands to reason that it will be more vigilant in processing applications in future so that no organisation can take advantage of this situation. 

The Government has relaxed the recruitment of workers for the construction industry as the housing developers have been severely affected by the latest campaign against the illegal immigrants. 

It also has allowed the developers and contractors to recruit Indonesian nationals for this purpose though the Government had earlier decreed that Indonesian workers should be confined to the plantation sector. 

This reversal came about due to the appeal by the developers who claimed that the Indonesians were the only ones hardy enough to withstand the tough working conditions existing in the construction industry. 

They pointed out that other foreigners who were supposed to be engaged for the industry could not tolerate the harsh environment. It was to save the industry that the Government relented and so the earlier decision was rescinded. 

However, this may not augur well for the industry’s future to be dependent on workers of just one country as it could be held ransom by such foreigners who could paralyse the industry if there should be some serious dispute later on. 

Sad to say, there is little that the industry and the Government can do for the time being unless more Malaysians are prepared to become construction workers.  

Still, it is necessary for parents to encourage their children to take up jobs in this key sector. 

It may be necessary too for the developers and contractors to increase the pay so that more locals would be encouraged to work in the construction sites. 

The other alternative is for the industry to adopt more advanced methods of building houses that require less manpower and more technology. 

Of course this will come with a price as higher labour costs will only mean more expensive houses. 

For the sake of national security, the house and property buyers will have to make some sacrifices and pay more for their units.