IN any worthwhile and successful endeavour, there is always a collective effort that is executed based on a deep sense of purpose. Such deep purpose in the body polity or industrial relations emanates from a sense of direction that is beyond a partisan, ideological and profiteering mindset.

In the political context, there are times when there is strong bipartisan support that focuses on the common good and helps the nation move in a progressive direction. For example, the bipartisan support for amending the law to permit automatic voting rights for 18-year-old youths created history in the country, and moved Malaysia to a new trajectory of how youth are recognised and appreciated in the political development of the country.

In the same token, it would serve the nation for politicians of all stripes to focus on Malaysia’s most critical and essential issue, which is its labour standards. After 60 years of independence, we have yet to ratify certain basic, progressive International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.

One of the reasons for the brain drain problem, in which our brightest Malaysians leave to advance economies such as Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, is due to our country’s labour standards, which are conservative and piecemeal lacking in consensus on long-term strategic development.

While the Human Resources Ministry has come up with proposed amendments to meet international standards, there is a lack of support and acknowledgement among mainstream opposition parties, who are too focused on race and religious issues, or the corporate world, which seems to prefer a mere profit and cost calculation in regard to labour standards.

If these trends continue, we will be overtaken by Asian countries like Vietnam, which is moving to beef up its labour standards. For example, in terms of adhering to progressive ILO conventions, Vietnam has ratified 24 conventions, with one denounced. Malaysia has only ratified 18 conventions, with 14 in force, one convention denounced and three instruments abrogated. It is obvious the success of Vietnam would not have been possible had there been no bipartisan and industry support to increase the standards of labour practices. 

Towards this end, it vital that the ministry, employers and unions, and the opposition come up with a consensus on moving labour standards forward by identifying critical conventions to be ratified in 2020 at Geneva. Among the major conventions that need to be ratified are C087 (Freedom of association and protection on the right to organise), C111 (Discrimination [Employment and occupation]), C122 (Employment Policy), C142 (Human resource development) and C190 (Violence and harassment).

A national political and industrial consensus in upgrading our labour standards is vital, not only to retain our brightest talent, but also to attract the best talents from other Asian countries, rather than forever depending on cheap labour to drive our economy. We need a strong national consensus to raise our labour standards to meet the challenges in attracting and retaining the best talents. – September 2, 2019.

* Ronald Benjamin reads The Malaysian Insight. 

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.