Work and benefits

I've been working for 2 years now with a big organization that provides sufficiently for its staff. I don't really have to worry about medical expenses, dental and also not too much on maternity - if my wife decides the oven is hot enough for the dough *wink wink*.

However, is that good enough of a reason to forego interests and ambitions? I know of a lot of people who is stuck in a boring, dead-end job specifically because of this.

To me, having a job is already a good thing. Sufficed that I am able to provide for my family and give them a bit more than just the necessities. I am grateful for the added benefits, but I'm looking for more than just that.

If an offer comes along, promising similar wage but less benefits I will consider. Provided of course the line of work is something that is of interest to me. Or that which I am passionate about.

But the problem is, where work is concerned, our income level is quite low. On top of that, not many companies or agencies give benefits. Private companies struggle to attract talent because of the fact that GLCs are able to give more - even though payment wise, some might be able to compete.

Furthermore, our healthcare is not up to standard. Thankful as I am to the government that healthcare is free or at most, cheap, but the standard leaves a lot to be desired.

We have qualified doctors and nurses but not enough - this is well documented.

Some government hospitals are in a horrible state. The facilities are quite run-down. The system, haywire. Some of the staffs are too cranky, probably because of the work condition. Every other month I go to a polyclinic for my daughter's routine check-up, and it is not the most ideal way to go about things - I would have to wait 3 hours for a 10 minute check-up.

For these reasons, government hospitals are considered last resort to some.

Private hospitals on the other hand have great facilities and are quite comfortable - by the looks of it. But too expensive. Only those with above average income can afford its services without work benefits.

Which leaves some of us in a quandary. I don't mind going to government hospital but who wouldn't prefer better services?

Of course, as I said earlier, thankfully I'm sufficiently covered. But for some less fortunate, they are not covered at all. Then there's the wage problem. Put two and two together, they get nothing much.

On that note, I would like to give a pat on the back for the thinkers in the PR coalition for wanting to do something about the minimum family income factor. Economically, the men on the ground are not supposed to care too much about 30% quota here and there because those are not the real economy.

Yes, helping corporations and bumiputera would benefit a lot of people in terms of providing a job and all, but it can happen even without quotas. Not incidentally, the rich becomes richer because of this.

Real economy to us is being able to put food on the table, being able to take care of our children and parents, being able to pay the bills at the end of the month. That's the real worry.

Any effort towards increasing the minimum family income should be lauded. Of course, I wouldn't know the mechanics towards achieving that but I welcome anyone who tries. This country has great potentials and is more than able to achieve great heights. Any previous administrative failures on the part of the government, including corruptions and mismanagement, should be eliminated.

It is high time now. The nation is becoming more and more educated and it is therefore the right time to move towards a high-income nation. Let's make an effort.

END