SMEs: Locals prefer to work in Singapore

Malaysian workers boarding a bus to get to work in Singapore. — Filepic

JOHOR BARU: Businesses and manufacturing companies, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are facing problems hiring locals as they prefer to work in Singapore.

Johor South SME adviser Teh Kee Sin said this has been a challenge for manufacturers in Johor Baru, Pasir Gudang, Kulai and Senai for some time now.

“There is nothing we can do about it. We definitely cannot stop them from working over there,’’ he said.

Teh said many preferred to work over there due to the exchange rate.

He said the depreciating ringgit against Singapore dollar since 2014 was the main factor prompting Malaysians, including Sabahans and Sarawakians, to look for jobs there.

“At the end of the day, financial gains remain the main factor and thousands of Malaysians are willing to spend hours commuting to Singapore daily to work,’’ said Teh.

On the positive note, he said local companies, especially in Iskandar Malaysia, would benefit from skills and experience of workers who decided to come and work here.

Johor Indian Business Association president P. Sivakumar disagreed with the view that Malaysians were not willing to do work deemed difficult, dirty and dangerous.

“Malaysians are willing to take on any work in Singapore, including as a cleaner and work at high-rise buildings there but not in Johor Baru.

“Something is not right. Thousands living in Johor Baru are working in Singapore,’’ he said.

Sivakumar said Malaysian must increase the salaries of semi-skilled and skilled workforce to be more competitive as well as attract more foreign direct investment into the country.

“Lack of skilled workers has contributed to slow economic growth and progress in the country.

“Foreign investors will only invest in Malaysia if we have a skilled and competent workforce,’’ he said.

Unofficial figures show that some 330,000 Malaysians commute daily from Johor to the island republic to work.