A new vision for our human capital ecosystem is crucial


THERE has been hue cry among employers and politicians about the shortage of foreign labour in Malaysia.

The country’s GDP growth has been affected by the lack of capacity to meet excess global demands for electrical and electronic goods, besides shortages of workers in the palm oil and construction industries.

Even the hospitality industry is going through a labour crunch. Security guards are in short supply, while restaurants are going through a similar crisis and some owners have closed down.

The question is: why was such shortage not anticipated by the Human Resources Ministry, given all the information it had to hand?

Was the ministry not proactive enough to ensure a problem of such magnitude of could have been at least mitigated?

One of those issues that are troubling to hear is that management in the electrical and electronics industry – who could be involved in strategising and growing the business – are on the production floor to help in operations in ensuring goods are delivered on time.

In certain hotels, human resources personnel have been doubling up as security guards.

While it is good for management to experience the reality on the ground, it would be counterproductive in the long run when skills are not utilised towards a proper end.

Have we manufactured the reality of underemployment in the country?

We also have a shortage of skilled workers because university graduates lack the necessary skills for the available jobs in demand.

We are also caught up with issues related to forced labour. Demand for a workforce has made many employers and agents bypass fundamental human rights, resulting in foreign workers going through debt bondage or near slavery, in which their passports are held and freedom of movement restricted.

From the above issues, it is quite clear that we have failed to build a strong ecosystem of human capital development and rights.

This ecosystem should include an enlightened recruitment strategy, human capital enhancement, technological growth and respect for fundamental human rights, built on social dialogue and consensus.

It is through the respect for fundamental rights of workers that will attract them to working in Malaysia.

It is time for government and the opposition – engaged in a self-righteous debate on the shortage of foreign workers – to begin a social dialogue with all stakeholders on how to build an enlightened holistic ecosystem for human capital and rights.

In the same note, the Association for Welfare Community and Dialogue urges the Human Resources Ministry to engage the Ministry for International Trade and Industry, employers, unions, civil society groups, universities and think tanks to resolve our dysfunctional human capital ecosystem.

There should be a round table dialogue to build consensus on these issues.

It is time to break the operational silos in which the current stakeholders are buried, and pursue a social dialogue that should lead to a new vision. – September 12, 2022.

* Ronald Benjamin is secretary for the Association for Welfare Community and Dialogue.

* 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.


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