NEWS
Malaysian workers willing to relocate to another country for work
28 April 2011

Kuala Lumpur | Nine-in-ten Malaysian respondents would be willing to move for the right job, with many even prepared to relocate to another country or continent, in order to secure their preferred position, according to the latest survey from Kelly Services. The findings are part of the Kelly Global Workforce Index, which obtained the views of approximately 97,000 people in 30 countries, including more than 700 in Malaysia.

The survey, conducted from October 2010 through January 2011, also reveals a significant number of people working in “unconventional arrangements,” involving long or unusual hours, multiple jobs, living away from home or excessive travel.

“Across many industries, there are a host of people who are now prepared to move within their own country, or move abroad, in the pursuit of work,” Kelly Services Managing Director Melissa Norman says. “In an environment where the market for talent is becoming global, there is a growing realisation that many individuals may have to relocate for work, rather than simply hope that the work will come to them.”

A total of 90 percent of respondents said they were prepared to move for the right job, while only 10 per cent were not. While 49 percent were prepared to move within the country, 42 per cent were willing to relocate to another country or even continent.

Nominated by 36 per cent, Europe emerged as the most desirable destination for globetrotting Malaysian job-seekers. Being close to home remains a preference with 34 per cent preferring to relocate within Asia Pacific. This was followed by the Middle East (9 percent), North America (8 percent), and South America (1 percent).

Results of the survey in Malaysia revealed:

MELISSA NORMAN

“Many skills that were once specific to a region or country are now able to be carried out in varied parts of the globe, meaning that job mobility becomes important for career advancement. In fast-growing sectors such as engineering and ICT, science, life sciences and green technology, finance and healthcare; there is diverse global demand that can present personal rewards and career opportunities for those willing to travel,” Ms Norman explained. She added, “The set-up of Talent Corporation to manage talent mobility as part of their objective is timely given that talent mobility may not be a negative situation for organizations if it is managed well. If a talent is given opportunities for them to gain insightful global exposure and experiences to develop their skills, focus should be given into how a company ensures that these talents ultimately share their knowledge, experiences and skills with the younger workforce in within the organisation through mentoring programmes. It could form part of the talent succession planning and

strategic direction of an organisation to ensure that they have a continuous talent pool with the right skills to meet the growing market demands as more and more organisations have a global presence.”

“Fast track programmes which may include overseas exposure are becoming popular in MNCs as part of their development programme to sustain talent in a rapidly changing labour market,” Ms Norman concluded.

The Kelly Global Workforce Index is an annual survey revealing opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Approximately 97,000 people from the Americas, APAC and EMEA responded to the 2011 survey with results published on a quarterly basis. Analysis of the 2011 data was conducted by Echo Research. Kelly Services was the recipient of a MarCom Platinum Award in 2010 and a Gold Award in 2009 for the Kelly Global Workforce Index in the Research/Study category.

Source : Kelly Services