Monday, May 01, 2006
Stay for a while - Amy Grant
THE UKEC recently conducted a survey among Malaysian professionals and students here in the UK asking them for reasons why they do not want to go home but opt to stay on here to work.
The reasons given "...ranged from measly salaries and long working hours to the lack of government support and appreciation for talent and expertise". In particular, the reasons given are lower income, poorer working conditions, longer working hours, less-structured training programmes and lower chances of promotion.
You can read more about the results of the survey here.
Today, in typical Malaysian fashion, those at home have hit back at the accuracy of the survey. It is alleged instead that "Malaysian doctors working in Britain are losing out in terms of promotions and job opportunities...".
However, that statement is made based on a "recent visit to Ireland"!!!! It is most unfortunate that the maker of such allegation is the Dean of the Medical Faculty of the National University of Malaysia (UKM), Dr. Lokman Sain. Read the report here.
Of course he spoke also of his experience working in Scotland - but i wondered how long ago was that...
So there we have it - who do we believe on what the working conditions here are like? Those who are actually working here or those who just came for a visit to Ireland recently???? Not a very difficult decision, rite?
What is depressing is the response from prominent people back home, people who are in a position to make a difference, to improve things. If these people share the sentiments of the Dean of UKM's Medical Faculty, then things will never improve. And the problem will persist.
The first step to solve a problem is to recognise it. Kudos to UKEC for taking the step to highlight it. Unfortunately, those at home refuse to accept it and allege that the survey results are misleading. Call it pride, call it a misplaced sense of patriotism, call it stupidity.
Whatever you call it, it just means that the status quo remains - and more are gonna stay on here.
The reasons given "...ranged from measly salaries and long working hours to the lack of government support and appreciation for talent and expertise". In particular, the reasons given are lower income, poorer working conditions, longer working hours, less-structured training programmes and lower chances of promotion.
You can read more about the results of the survey here.
Today, in typical Malaysian fashion, those at home have hit back at the accuracy of the survey. It is alleged instead that "Malaysian doctors working in Britain are losing out in terms of promotions and job opportunities...".
However, that statement is made based on a "recent visit to Ireland"!!!! It is most unfortunate that the maker of such allegation is the Dean of the Medical Faculty of the National University of Malaysia (UKM), Dr. Lokman Sain. Read the report here.
Of course he spoke also of his experience working in Scotland - but i wondered how long ago was that...
So there we have it - who do we believe on what the working conditions here are like? Those who are actually working here or those who just came for a visit to Ireland recently???? Not a very difficult decision, rite?
What is depressing is the response from prominent people back home, people who are in a position to make a difference, to improve things. If these people share the sentiments of the Dean of UKM's Medical Faculty, then things will never improve. And the problem will persist.
The first step to solve a problem is to recognise it. Kudos to UKEC for taking the step to highlight it. Unfortunately, those at home refuse to accept it and allege that the survey results are misleading. Call it pride, call it a misplaced sense of patriotism, call it stupidity.
Whatever you call it, it just means that the status quo remains - and more are gonna stay on here.
# posted by imissw : 3:34:00 pm
