LETTER: A good worker is committed to doing a good job, because he understands that unless he does a good job he will not get paid. He also has love in his heart. He knows that he cannot let down those who have put their trust in him.
We read regularly that many foreign workers send part of their salary back home to their families, and it is certainly this duty of having to support their families, together with the love they have for them, that helps them go through the daily grind successfully.
I have noticed that many foreign workers are well-behaved and willing to comply with the laws when they first arrive in the country. But, when they see that locals do not have much respect for laws and by-laws, they fall equally into transgressions.
An entrepreneur who wishes his company to succeed, will give the job to the person best suited for the job. Someone who is suitably qualified, has enough experience, is willing to adapt and learn.
But, most of all someone who loves the job, regardless of race, religion, age, and political affiliation. One can work for money when he's young. However, to work for money after a certain age is a sign that not only education has failed, but the person himself is still incapable of finding meaning in life.
So, in another sense, I'd like to refer to the letter "Time to rid nation of foreign labour", in today's Letters page and wonder where the writer got the assertion that 'Malaysians are lazy.'
The most hard-working person I have ever known was a Malaysian (a Malay woman, to be precise) who had thirteen (13) children and worked from 5am to 11pm almost non-stop except for meals.
She not only took care of her family, but also worked in the rice field and provided help, when needed, to her relatives, neighbours and friends. Additionally, she found time to engage in basket weaving.
This woman had love in her heart and responsibility in her mind. Once, when I remarked to her that she was working too hard, she answered me: 'What can one do but work?"
If only the government could make the locals more law-abiding, and more compassionate and loving towards their fellow human beings, most problems would be quickly solved.
MARISA DEMORI
Putrajaya
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times