Drawn by greener pastures abroad

Low wages and better opportunities are driving some Malaysians out of the country for greener pastures abroad. – IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. June 20, 2020.

RETURNING to Malaysia, however, is a journey too far for some, with higher wages and better opportunities keeping them abroad.

Thirty-year old Dr Angie Lim, who is now based in Rochester, Minnesota, says she moved to the United States to pursue her dream of becoming a specialist and also in hopes of a better work life balance and pay.

“There are a lot of opportunities in clinical research, which makes the career more interesting,” she says.

“There are better prospects as there are more sub-specialty here and it’s research focused. The working culture is generally healthier with respect to working hours limit.”

A former contract doctor with the Health Ministry, Lim says she felt that her career prospects in Malaysia were rather dim.

“Permanent positions are not guaranteed for contract doctors. Extending the contract for extra years doesn’t guarantee a future for us,” she says.

She also draws attention to the salaries of contract doctors compared to their workload.

“Taking into account the increment of housing prices, daily expenses nowadays, the working hours, the work load, the stress and the risk of exposure to the diseases, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, the salary that contract MOs (medical officers) are receiving is not compatible to what they are doing,” she says.

In contrast, the jump from residents’ pay to attending pay is massive in the USA, she notes.

Munirah Rohaizan, 38, who is attached to an Australian firm and has had working experience in Ireland, also feels Malaysians are underpaid.

“The average of young adult here earns between US$800 to US$1000 (RM3,509 to RM4,386). This is coming from a person who has five years’ experience in his field. It’s sad and shocking when you put it in that perspective,” she says.

For 42-year-old Qin Shukri, the reason to migrate was to get experience working in a multinational company as well as to live abroad.

“Yes, I do feel like our career prospects here are too paper-based... not practicality. I have a friend who has been working for so long, and has vast experience in the field but is still not able to grow just because he doesn’t have the paper qualification, which to me is sad. The company could have offered or help him get qualified if they wanted to but it’s not something that is likely to happen here in Malaysia,” she says.

She adds the working culture is also different abroad.

“I’ve worked for a foreign company for the past six years and the work culture and mindset are way different. I strongly believe that Malaysian employers should be more trusting and the employees should be more trustworthy,” she says.

Another is the freedom in speaking up and expressing one’s ideas, Qin adds.

“I love that I can speak my mind without stepping on anyone’s toes as we can speak out. Most foreign employers are interested in seeing what your interests are. You will have more freedom in expressing your ideas despite the hierarchy as it doesn’t matter as much to them.

“There is too much focus on hierarchy in local organisations, leading to inefficiency and frustration. Foreign companies tend to be more open in career directions and are always open to adapting to changes in career directions as well,” she says.

Malaysian Employers Federation(MEF) president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman says brain drain and migration has been a long-standing issue and is subject to debate.

He says the reasons for migration include unattractive salaries and benefits offered locally, the lack of career prospects and the unavailability of opportunities in specific fields as well as factors related to the quality of life.

Apart from that, access to high-quality education, and in the case of Singapore, proximity to higher exchange rates are some considerations.

"The Malaysian diaspora is large and expanding, as well as geographically concentrated and ethnically skewed. Brain drain has been growing at an average rate of 6% per annum. There are now an estimated two million Malaysians living and working abroad,” he says.

"Malaysia’s brain drain is further aggravated because the skills base is too narrow. The intensity of brain drain is mitigated by the fact that a substantial share of the skilled diaspora acquired their education overseas hence, they are also less likely to return as they acquire jobs at their destination country,” he adds.

According to the 2019 Hays Asia Overseas Returnee Report, 63% of returnees said they moved back to their country to be with their families. Others said they returned for the local culture and lifestyle (29%) and the opportunity to progress and develop their careers (28%), he notes.

Syed Hussain says Malaysians working overseas may draw higher salaries but the cost of living may also be high. Similarly, Malaysian employers may not pay high salaries but the overall cost of living in Malaysia is also lower.

In an open labour market, countries are trying to attract best available talent to work. Malaysia may be losing some of her talents overseas but Malaysia is also able to attract international talents to work in Malaysia.

"There are about 120,000 expatriates in Malaysia,” he says.