Malaysians Are Getting Paid More By Working In Other Countries

According to a report by The Star Online, more Malaysians are leaving for countries like China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea for better career prospects.

The report quoted former Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia president Teh Kee Sin who said that the higher pay and drop in the value of the ringgit were the two main reasons why many Malaysians preferred to look for jobs outside of the country.

"The view that Malaysians are not willing to do work deemed difficult and dirty is not right as many of them are taking up such jobs in these countries," he was quoted as saying.

He added that locals would be more than willing to take up menial and unskilled jobs if Malaysian companies are willing to pay them well.

"Many commute to do such jobs in Singapore. There must be something wrong if a Malaysian is willing to work as a cleaner in Singapore but not in Johor Bahru."

The Star Online reported that a human resource manager, who wished to remain anonymous, said that highly skilled workers were sought after by oil and gas corporations based in Singapore and the Middle East.

He cited that the monthly salary in Malaysia for a certified welder with a 6G certification working offshore starts at between RM4,000 and RM5,000 monthly, whereas it is much higher in oil-producing Arab countries.

"The same person will get between SGD4,000 (RM11,900) and SGD5,000 (RM14,900) in Singa­pore and USD10,000 (RM40,290) if he chooses to work in any of the oil-producing Arab countries," he added.

The human resource manager said that many skilled Malaysians in the oil and gas sector will continue to flock to Singapore and the Middle East as they are highly attracted by the salary and remuneration package.

He also said that foreign countries will continue to reap the benefit from the efforts of training the locals although Malaysia and the companies operating locally have invested millions of ringgit on these workers.