I refer to the letter Leaving Malaysia was the right move .

I sympathise with many Malaysians who leave the country because of the appalling working conditions here. The close ties between the political (ruling) elite and the business community has made the conditions of employment here below par.

It is important to remember that the rulers of Malaysia, both the executive and the monarchy, are the defenders of the people. So when members of the ruling class dabble in business and commerce, obviously there is going to be a conflict of interest.

The purpose of a business venture is to make as much profit as possible. This means the objective is to pay employees as little as possible to maximise profits. In developed countries, there is a mechanism to protect employees known as trade unions.

Yet in Malaysia, trade unions have either been disallowed or existing ones are controlled and stifled by the government. In developed countries, your duties are well-defined and your job hours are faithfully adhered to.

In Malaysia, the boss can ask you to do jobs outside the scope of your job definition such as lifting heavy furniture or minding the boss’s children.

Also, don't expect to go home at 5pm as employers in Malaysia expect you to work extra hours without extra pay and it is common for Malaysian employees to reach home as late as 10pm.

It is all about keeping your job as there are loads of unemployed people waiting in line for your job should you get the sack. This fact is being manipulated by employers to blackmail and exploit their workers because employees have no trade unions to stand up for their rights.

Thus, by making their employees do the work of one-and-a-half persons, but only paying them one person’s salary, companies are denying employment opportunities to 50% of prospective Malaysian job-seekers.

This philosophy of ‘why get 10 people to do the task when we can get seven people to do it if we overwork them’ is a thinking that is destroying Malaysia and forcing Malaysians to seek employment abroad where their rights will be better protected.

Thus the end result of not having trade unions - workers are exploited and overworked and thousands of graduates and school leavers are being denied jobs.