Gimme back my illegal workers!

It’s interesting to see how some Malaysian’s are reacting towards the government’s clamp down on illegal immigrants. Some are commending the effort, and some are just plain angry. Why? They have to do the dirty work of their business, plus, they’re losing precious sleep.

The Star reported on February 2, 2005 http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/2/nation/10060805&sec=nation

Restaurant owner K. Puspa, who tried in vain to get work permits for four Indian workers, said she was now left in the lurch as there was no one to cook for her customers.
“I’m upset and angry. Chinese New Year is approaching and that’s when we have a lot of customers. Now I have to reduce the shop’s operating hours by half, learn how to make roti canai and prepare the food myself.
“I’m also barely getting three hours of sleep daily,” said Puspa, who was previously cheated of RM6,000 when she tried to apply for the permits through agents.

I’ve heard the same thing from one of the Malay restaurant operators at my workplace. They had to cut down on working hours as well as do things themselves. And they’re not too happy about it either.

SO…do these particular business owners have the right to be angry at the government for taking/scaring away their illegal workers?

H*ll no! is my humble opinion. First of all, they’re cheating on income tax payments by hiring these illegal workers.

Second of all, they cheating Malaysians a chance to get a job.

Sure, Malaysians in general are particularly fussy about jobs. But that does not give these business owners the right to hire illegal immigrant workers.

I hope that the government will continue to uphold the virtue of the law. I know it's pretty d@mn hard in this country, but we've got to start somewhere.