Mandarin demand is discriminatory?
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said on 1 June that fluent in Mandarin should be made optional in the requirement for prospective employees.
From an employer's perspective, it looks like the HR Minister is putting some intervention on the hiring process. Just imaging if an employer wanted to hire a person who could use a computer software (which is Japanese-based), and one of the requirement is: must conversant in Japanese. But the HR Minister say "No! You should make it optional!". Do you think any other person who know nothing about Japanese could take up the job? It works the same to other languages and apply to any other scenario, besides computer software, such as companies dealing with clients from Chian/Taiwan/Korean/Japan/Arabic countries.
So, why make the employer using such requirement as optional?
I am wondering that seeking a person who are capable of certain language is discriminatory. But I can be sure that looking for somebody of certain race are definitely discriminatory. See the ad (from Jobstreet) below:
Imaging a person who are born to be non-Malay, he or she has no chance at all to apply this position. See more ads below (from The Star):
The first example (circled) stated that as long as you speaks English, you could apply. But requiring only Chinese or Malay is discriminatory because even though you speaks English, if you are an Indian, then you are out! The second and third (circled) example mentioned that only Bumis, and Malay could apply. Now can I ask, which one is discriminatory: language preference or race?
One must understand, the requirement on the language is related to someone's capability. If you don't have such capability, you could always try to acquire it. Every one has equal opportunity, as long as you pick up the right skill, fair? However, the requirement on the race is something that a person could not even change. This make the person totally has no chance at all, no matter how hard he or she tries.
And now, what make the life more miserable is, the government is ENCOURAGING employers to put the words "Bumiputras are encouraged to apply."! So I am wondering what policy is this? Is "encouraging bumi applicants" encouraged; "requirement on Mandarin or Tamil" is considered discriminatory? We, the people in this land of "equal" (according to constitution) would like to hear the explanation.
Related stories:
From an employer's perspective, it looks like the HR Minister is putting some intervention on the hiring process. Just imaging if an employer wanted to hire a person who could use a computer software (which is Japanese-based), and one of the requirement is: must conversant in Japanese. But the HR Minister say "No! You should make it optional!". Do you think any other person who know nothing about Japanese could take up the job? It works the same to other languages and apply to any other scenario, besides computer software, such as companies dealing with clients from Chian/Taiwan/Korean/Japan/Arabic countries.
So, why make the employer using such requirement as optional?
I am wondering that seeking a person who are capable of certain language is discriminatory. But I can be sure that looking for somebody of certain race are definitely discriminatory. See the ad (from Jobstreet) below:
Imaging a person who are born to be non-Malay, he or she has no chance at all to apply this position. See more ads below (from The Star):
The first example (circled) stated that as long as you speaks English, you could apply. But requiring only Chinese or Malay is discriminatory because even though you speaks English, if you are an Indian, then you are out! The second and third (circled) example mentioned that only Bumis, and Malay could apply. Now can I ask, which one is discriminatory: language preference or race?
One must understand, the requirement on the language is related to someone's capability. If you don't have such capability, you could always try to acquire it. Every one has equal opportunity, as long as you pick up the right skill, fair? However, the requirement on the race is something that a person could not even change. This make the person totally has no chance at all, no matter how hard he or she tries.
And now, what make the life more miserable is, the government is ENCOURAGING employers to put the words "Bumiputras are encouraged to apply."! So I am wondering what policy is this? Is "encouraging bumi applicants" encouraged; "requirement on Mandarin or Tamil" is considered discriminatory? We, the people in this land of "equal" (according to constitution) would like to hear the explanation.
Related stories:
Fong: Mandarin should be optional [Thursday June 1, 2006]
Mandarin demand is discriminatory [Wednesday May 31, 2006]
By watraffic at 12:24:00 PM |
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