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Malaysian plan to oust foreign workers Malaysian plan to oust foreign workers
(1 day later)
There is dramatic evidence from one of Asia's fastest-expanding economies of the downturn's severity. A senior minister says the government wants to send back 60% of Malaysia's two million foreign workers, the BBC's Robin Brant reports.There is dramatic evidence from one of Asia's fastest-expanding economies of the downturn's severity. A senior minister says the government wants to send back 60% of Malaysia's two million foreign workers, the BBC's Robin Brant reports.
Mundane jobs undertaken by migrants are unpopular with many MalaysiansThe machines are noisy, the smell of chemicals and paint pervades the air. Lim Kok Boon's plastics factory in Selangor churns out tonnes of transparent film and millions of bags.Mundane jobs undertaken by migrants are unpopular with many MalaysiansThe machines are noisy, the smell of chemicals and paint pervades the air. Lim Kok Boon's plastics factory in Selangor churns out tonnes of transparent film and millions of bags.
Standing in the shadow of a vast printing machine, he said: "This process is converting printed film into bread bags."Standing in the shadow of a vast printing machine, he said: "This process is converting printed film into bread bags."
The firm makes about one million a day. What starts out as small resin pellets ends up protecting sliced bread, toilet paper and beer cans on shop shelves from Australia to Singapore.The firm makes about one million a day. What starts out as small resin pellets ends up protecting sliced bread, toilet paper and beer cans on shop shelves from Australia to Singapore.
Great Wall Plastic has about 450 staff - of those 100 are foreign workers. All are men from Nepal, mostly in their 20s.Great Wall Plastic has about 450 staff - of those 100 are foreign workers. All are men from Nepal, mostly in their 20s.
The manual labour they perform is not popular with Malaysians. The firm has struggled to hire locals for wrapping and stacking work that takes place during the night shift.The manual labour they perform is not popular with Malaysians. The firm has struggled to hire locals for wrapping and stacking work that takes place during the night shift.
So people like 28-year-old Sunil fill the gap. "This is my last contract. I may have another in one or two years," he says.So people like 28-year-old Sunil fill the gap. "This is my last contract. I may have another in one or two years," he says.
Sunil earns the equivalent of $160 (£109) a month. His parents, brother and sister rely on the money he sends back from Malaysia.Sunil earns the equivalent of $160 (£109) a month. His parents, brother and sister rely on the money he sends back from Malaysia.
There are some two million workers like him in Malaysia. Another one million or so are here illegally. They are vital to the economy, accounting for about one-fifth of the workforce.There are some two million workers like him in Malaysia. Another one million or so are here illegally. They are vital to the economy, accounting for about one-fifth of the workforce.
Political necessityPolitical necessity
But as the hard times approach, the government wants them to be the first to go.But as the hard times approach, the government wants them to be the first to go.
Given the current fluid political situation in Malaysia it's quite understandable that the Malaysian government takes these stepsGiven the current fluid political situation in Malaysia it's quite understandable that the Malaysian government takes these steps
Chris EngHead of finance firm OSK Chris EngHead of research, OSK finance firm
"There are certain sectors where we should be able to have Malaysians working in those sectors," Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said."There are certain sectors where we should be able to have Malaysians working in those sectors," Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said.
"At present there are 2.1 million foreign workers in this country and I hope when their contract expires in certain sectors - if the industry does not require them - then we will be able to send them back.""At present there are 2.1 million foreign workers in this country and I hope when their contract expires in certain sectors - if the industry does not require them - then we will be able to send them back."
He said a reduction of 60% was the government target.He said a reduction of 60% was the government target.
The figure is substantial, and means more than one million workers could be sent home over the next few years.The figure is substantial, and means more than one million workers could be sent home over the next few years.
Some observers say this is not just economic reality, but political necessity - a government protecting its own.Some observers say this is not just economic reality, but political necessity - a government protecting its own.
Chris Eng from the financial services firm OSK said: "I think local sentiment will turn against the presence of foreign workers, as is commonplace throughout the world.Chris Eng from the financial services firm OSK said: "I think local sentiment will turn against the presence of foreign workers, as is commonplace throughout the world.
"Given the current fluid political situation in Malaysia it's quite understandable that the Malaysian government takes these steps.""Given the current fluid political situation in Malaysia it's quite understandable that the Malaysian government takes these steps."
But he also thinks this will not save money - that it could cost more. The government wants Malaysians in these jobs but it is likely they will demand better pay.But he also thinks this will not save money - that it could cost more. The government wants Malaysians in these jobs but it is likely they will demand better pay.
Orders slowingOrders slowing
Great Wall Plastic is doing well. There may even be room for growth as people tighten their belts and eat at home more often, requiring more packaged food.Great Wall Plastic is doing well. There may even be room for growth as people tighten their belts and eat at home more often, requiring more packaged food.
But still some machines are switched off because orders are down.But still some machines are switched off because orders are down.
Malaysians would like to see the easy way out... A very quick fix to get foreign workers - if they can, legally, if they cannot, illegally Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar As Lim Kok Boon gave me a tour of his plant just north of Kuala Lumpur we stopped at one machine that was idle.Malaysians would like to see the easy way out... A very quick fix to get foreign workers - if they can, legally, if they cannot, illegally Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar As Lim Kok Boon gave me a tour of his plant just north of Kuala Lumpur we stopped at one machine that was idle.
"This is not running because the orders are slow," he said. "This is a reflection of the times." He expects it to be mothballed for three to six months."This is not running because the orders are slow," he said. "This is a reflection of the times." He expects it to be mothballed for three to six months.
I asked 29-year-old worker Dipak how he felt about going back to Nepal.I asked 29-year-old worker Dipak how he felt about going back to Nepal.
He said: "If it's not better here there's no point wasting time."He said: "If it's not better here there's no point wasting time."
But he added that there were no current plans to send him, or any of the other 99 Nepalese workers, back home.But he added that there were no current plans to send him, or any of the other 99 Nepalese workers, back home.
Long term, however, the government wants to break its centuries-old reliance on foreign workers.Long term, however, the government wants to break its centuries-old reliance on foreign workers.
I asked Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar if Malaysia was "addicted" to foreign workers.I asked Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar if Malaysia was "addicted" to foreign workers.
With a wry laugh he replied: "That is quite accurate. Malaysians would like to see the easy way out... They think that is the best solution. A very quick fix to get foreign workers. If they can, legally, if they cannot, illegally."With a wry laugh he replied: "That is quite accurate. Malaysians would like to see the easy way out... They think that is the best solution. A very quick fix to get foreign workers. If they can, legally, if they cannot, illegally."
Malaysia has grown rich with the help of foreign workers. The descendents of the Chinese and Indians who came here two centuries ago, and stayed for good, now make up a third of the Malaysian population.Malaysia has grown rich with the help of foreign workers. The descendents of the Chinese and Indians who came here two centuries ago, and stayed for good, now make up a third of the Malaysian population.
But the government is preparing a second stimulus package to try to insulate Malaysians against a recession - it wants to protect the Malaysian workers of today, not tomorrow.But the government is preparing a second stimulus package to try to insulate Malaysians against a recession - it wants to protect the Malaysian workers of today, not tomorrow.
That means the Nepalese at the plastics factory and thousands more could be sent packing.That means the Nepalese at the plastics factory and thousands more could be sent packing.