Thesun 2009-04-15 Page13 Lessons For Us From Thailand

theSun

13

| WEDNESDAY APRIL 15 2009

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Lessons for us from Thailand IT IS unfortunate that the uneasy situation that had prevailed in Thailand for about three years has finally deteriorated into such chaos and anarchy that it is no longer safe to be on the streets of Bangkok. Within that period governments have changed and different sets of protesters have taken to the streets all waving the national flag and calling for a change of government and shouting “democracy!” The previous government fell following violent street protests that destroyed property and brought

economic activity to a standstill. The prime minister’s office was occupied for three months and thousands of protesters made the capital’s two airports their home for a week. Now it is the turn of the present government which had succeeded it to be besieged by another set of protesters who want it to resign and for fresh elections to be called. It is also unfortunate that the government, which should be concentrating on efforts to deal with the effects of the worldwide recession on the country, is being forced into inaction

by the protesters. It is understandable that many Bangkok residents, fed up with the unwillingness of the authorities to take firm measures against the protesters, have decided to take their own action. But it is unfortunate that several people had to die and hundreds to be injured as a result of the clashes between the residents and the protesters. The government has been put into a tight spot over whether to give in to the protesters and resign or take tough measures to clear the streets. It is apparent that the country has

What would we do without them? by Daniel Chandranayagam

AN AUNT I’m very fond of said to me one evening, “Eh! How come you never wrote about the time my maid went on holiday without my knowledge while I myself was on holiday?” I am glad of my aunt’s reminder, as I have yet to broach the thorny issue of domestic workers in this column. In August last year, there were reported to be more than 200,000 domestic workers in Malaysia. A staggering figure. What did Malaysians do before we were allowed to bring in domestic workers for a reasonable wage in the mid-80s? Actually, I’m old enough to remember what we did. We worked harder. My parents, along with my brother and I, cleaned the house. Occasionally, we would hire a few old women wearing large straw hats, who rode to our homes on black bicycles in the sun. Now, the process to hire a domestic worker begins the day after a couple conceives. Things have become so easy for us in this regard that children appear to be brought up more by domestic workers than the parents themselves. Of course, young parents will inevitably lament, “We have to work, otherwise we can’t live.” That is true. The cost of living has increased. But if one does not have a domestic worker, one doesn’t have that cost. Also, perhaps some economists are correct in their statement that foreign labour depresses

the levels of income in the country. After all, in the 60s, 70s and early 80s, no one lamented that they “had to work and have foreign domestic help, otherwise they can’t live”. Yet, surely it is a big thing, to allow a total stranger into your home? Recently, a blog from the online version of a local paper showed a child being abused by a domestic worker. The media regularly highlights situations where domestic workers have done great ill on their employers’ household. This doesn’t cause us to hesitate. However, perhaps to pre-empt any potential “misbehaviour”, Malaysians have taken to hurting their domestic workers first. Nirmala Bonat, anyone? It is likely that more cases of domestic worker abuse takes place than reported. Just ask Tenaganita. The Women’s Aid Organisation stated that Malaysians abuse their domestic workers because: » Domestic workers take advantage of employers by running away at the first opportunity. » Domestic workers have lots of boyfriends, sleep around, are diseased. » Domestic workers steal husbands. » Foreign domestic workers’ culture is inferior to the Malaysian culture and her influence will corrupt the family. Wow! Then why get a foreign domestic worker? To me, there is a schizophrenic attitude towards foreign domestic help. Those who are the first to employ foreign domestic

become politically divided into two camps, one made up of forces led by fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the other made up of royalists, military and urban middle class and their supporters and for the moment visibly led by prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. There is little prospect that the political game, that is what it apparently is, will end soon. The Thais must resolve the political turmoil themselves. Asean tried to help by attending the summit in Pattaya as a show of solidarity with the government like it

did in Manila in December 1987 when the government of Cory Aquino was threatened by a rebellion. But the protesters showed little respect for the summiters and chased them out of the resort city. There are a lot of lessons for us in what is happening in Thailand, for ordinary Malaysians as well as for that breed of people we call politicians. The ordinary people must watch the politicians and the politicians, whatever they do, must always place as their number one priority the wellbeing and safety of the rakyat.

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Levies are outdated and unethical Freespace Where young views rule

workers are also the first to view them with suspicion. Is there an alternative? There always is, no matter how much one laments. There is the option of working harder, or holding off having children until one can afford them. There is the option of hiring the little old women with straw hats on black bicycles or “home managers” trained under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry. My household recently acquired a foreign domestic worker. I protested heavily. Are things easier with her around? No. Would I recommend it to others? No. Why not? Because there are great cultural and language divides between the neighbouring countries and our nation, and anyone who has put in an application for a foreign domestic worker must understand this, and be prepared to work with patience. Personally, I prefer to do the work myself (or leave it undone). Yet, the problems are far too many and too varied to discuss at length here. Poverty, possibly corruption, lack of education, international relations, human trafficking, politics plus a slew of micro-level problems attach to the issue of foreign domestic workers. Perhaps, the new cabinet might come up with workable solutions for all parties. Daniel freelances in writing and publishing, and has a deep passion for sleeping, eating and labour law. He can be reached at pottedplot.com.

I REFER to “Bring up levy issue to cabinet, MCA urged”(April 8) and agree with restaurant owners that the 100% rise in levy for foreign workers is hefty. Why should the employer pay the government for employing someone and why should the worker come up with cash if he wants the job? When there is a vacancy, the position should go to the most suitable candidate. An employer should be free to pick the best fitted person. In the same way, any job seeker should be free to apply for any job he feels he can undertake successfully. When the job is legal and both employer and employee agree to the terms, there should be no artificial outside impediment to conducting the transaction. Globalisation is the buzz word, but it is amazing how governments accept some parts of it wholeheartedly, like the use of English, while rejecting others outright like eschewing foreign workers. With the convenience of modern transport and the rapid exchange of information, people are bound to travel more and they will seek employment in foreign countries. The trend will increase, so why should an employer be penalised for offering a job and an employee for accepting it? Putting a levy on foreign labour is an outdated and unethical way to control market forces. It is also damaging to the country in the long run because it stunts the enthusiasm, motivation, and competitiveness of the local work force. The fact that the levy has not increased occupational prospects for locals, or increased their salaries and other benefits proves the thesis. However, it must also be noted that small and medium business owners, though right in their complaints, often cannot get what they want because they do not help each other. They only

see the issues that affect them directly and are not informed and vigilant enough to see the storm coming and take precautions to averts its damage. I dare say that many employers feel the pinch only because they are now finding it more difficult to obtain credit from the banks to finance their operations. If they could get the money as easily as before, they would probably not mind paying the levy, even if it is double the previous amount. Although there is no doubt that the financial policy of the banks has caused much hardship to businesses and individuals, consumers have failed to look at all the damaging rules banks have imposed on their customers and take a united stand against them. For example, banks increased late payment charges on credit cards. Thus, if a person owed RM10,000 to five different banks and he was late paying all of them, he would have had to pay RM500 just in late payment charges, on top of interest and other charges. By comparison, an employer only pays RM360 a month in levy on a foreign worker even with the 100% increase. In both cases, neither the bank nor the government do anything to earn the money, and considering that money is the reward for work done, we must argue against the idea of making money by pressing one’s advantage. If small and medium businesses are to remain in business and grow, they must look out for each other. They must take the time to inform themselves on all the rules that are detrimental to small businesses in general and not only to one particular line of business. Only by being knowledgeable, farsighted, and concerned about others can we hope to survive and prosper. MAB Ipoh