Monday, January 31, 2011

When the action receive reaction


IT'S DELIGHTFUL to be ended a year with reward. While rewards can be varied by different form, the bonus would be the most wanted type of reward among working adults I think. My wife already got her one more than a week ago and my company still silent with regard to it. Staffs are just enjoying talk about that and keep imagine how much can be given. This year, since the owner has been changed, even senior staffs can't guess what's going to be because mid term bonus had been cut without prior notice. So we can't assure on getting it this year despite we hope for the positive.

Finally much awaited bonus arrived to our respective account but it's less than expected. Nevertheless we thank to employer for their kind consideration for staffs. I think this can boost the productivity among staffs as people seem happy in the wake of bonus prone week-end. People contribute to company and company share the profit with them. What a good society is it for long term. I believe it's the best way to recognize the performance of hard working staff. No other way can be better than this. Also it can help resource to maintain talents from draining away. Nowadays getting talents become harder compare to past as there are more competitive in the market. New set up companies are convincing new recruit with better package and facilities. So it's necessary to make people happy in the process of maintaining good staffs I believe.

Now we can share our bonus with our families as we already planned to do so before we are getting it. What a great experience to share enjoyment between loved ones? I guess this is the best way to make the Chines New Year time most meaningful. Now we can fulfill some parts of our family member's wishes if it's not cover for all. Thanks my boss for his generous. I hope I can contribute more to this company with my best endeavor.

My Chinese New Year Wish


TODAY MYANMAR's first parliament opens after more than two decades await. Ignore about people concern on it. Even MPs who represent 14 states and divisions don't know what's agenda to be discussed. I don't know how other country's parliament are holding their convention. But I think is funny for MPs unable to know what are they going to do at even last minute. How can they prepare for this? They are struggling in the guest house designated by government for water and foods, concentration on convention matters instead. They are totally lost. How do we trust on such people? How do they carry forward this country with very limited power? How can they fulfill the promises they gave to people during their campaign while they don't know what will be happening themselves?

While MPs of opposition parties are pity at facilities usages, the army back USDP's MPs are enjoying the new capital's five star hotel by staying there during the convention. In fact, most of MPs from USDP are current ministers and high profile business men who are close to generals. So they are privilege to others. At the same time, the soldiers will enjoy 25% of parliamentary seat. I don't know what are they discussing. I don't know if they are eligible to make policies for country. You may want to ask me to shut up if I don't know almost everything about politic. But I'll tell you that's why I am not participating in this process and staying at home and enjoy my own job.

In Singapore's cabinet, most of minister are graduates from world's renowned Universities like Harvard and Cambridge. They are paid the world's highest salary so as to sure the corporate world can't compete theirs. By doing so, the government can maintain the best brain from draining to the private world. As well as prevent the corruption. No wonder Singapore's government staffs are much corruption free since they are given more than enough welfare to enjoy their lives. Today, Finance's minister boasted that this year budget will come out on Feb 14 and he assured people it'll bring some good things for Singaporean. What a good feeling for people to know what and how the government will do in future? They, Singaporean, may not value this as they never experience the bad system like we suffer for decade long. If I am not wrong, I never heard such practice in my mother land.

Why don't we have such budget if they, successful countries, have? Does it mean our people are not necessary to know what the government doing? Does it mean the government can do everything what they like? Does it mean the people's tax can be used without transparency? I am upsetting myself by asking alone without answer. I hope today is a historic day in Myanmar's history and can bring some enlightments for our people's goodness. Since nothing is forever, I believe the bad system must be fallen sooner or later. How can it be last? How many time they can get favorable luck?

May our people get a good, kind, smart, intelligent leaders who can think of their lives. This might be my Chinese New Year wish for this year of rabbit. Hope my wishes can be fulfilled less or more as time has come.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Troublesome Education makes people lost.


SINGAPORE's GE is going to hold within this year and there are campaign like activities through community centers are frequently found. The MPs are assuring its people for better future and people seems do not bother with the promises. Being a citizen of poor country, I think Singaporean are lucky to have such government. The government always carefully listen to their voice and manipulate the policies in favour of its people. The more the government provide the more they are demanding. I notice the fees chargeable between locals and foreigners are vast different at all area especially in education, property, health-care, etc.

There were so many carrots lay out by officials and I like one that is told my minister of education. He declared that "no-one who has ability to join whatever School, ITE, Poly or University won't be deny just because of financially expensive." He added there have been put enough scholarship for its citizens. What a good feeling to hear such words for those especially from poor family background? I even enjoyed to read such news despite it is non of my business. Universally every person should have a chance to access basic education unless it is for higher education to make our society more considerate.

No doubt the country that has most educated population can be successful. On the other side, the country that has less educated population is likely to fall down amidst problems. Then no wonder a great leader won't hesitate to invest in education industry in favour of its young generation and people's intelligent. I am upset to learn our education system that can effectively bar poor students from higher education. Even basic education, nowadays people can't pass through without enough money. The education is getting worse day by day. But the fees become higher. Meaning no money no education. Some people rely on traditional education that can be reached free at monastery. Some kind people open free education centre for people around.

Then what does our government do for this important sector? Where do they put vast foreign income from selling natural gas, oil and gems? Probably they might have spent on military goodies and less-important projects that is not beneficial to people. Within few months time, the government own factories would be sold out to private sectors. We should welcome if it is happening for the effort of people's relief. But the realistic is our people are suffering from this privatising because business people always focus on their own profit. They always do their business merciless. Previously people enjoy some subsidies rate through state own organisation. No that kind of things become a story for new generation. Even a university students can't get accommodation to study well. They need to find a place to live by their own expenses.

We are already far behind in the region. Forget about the golden time of early 60s as it's just history. We have to be realistic if we love our country so much. We can't be selfish. We have to be wise in managing our resources. Why not invite more advance countries to come invest by adjusting some regulations that they want? We must be flexible. If we keep holding unusable method and rigid, the neighborhood countries would be the most benefit from it, not our people. I am disappointed to learn our natural resources goes by fire-rate. We know we are lacking technology and we are not trying to get these. What for being proud ourselves without getting own abilities? Natural resources can be generated within limited time.

It's ashamed not to take advantage of rich natural resource to make nation's development. The country has seen various governments through time and no different is significantly made. People are desperate for a good government who can care of them. First thing first, we should put back our education system on the right track. Find possible collaboration with mature countries that can assist our system correction. Hopefully we can have a good leader in next generation even it is hard to find in the current generation. I would like to make myself available to serve my country when the time is right and I am needed to perform. Hope I can able to see a developing country before we close my eyes forever.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Size Matter?


IS SIZE really matter to us? May be it depend on where we are attention with regard to something in life. In this chapter, I just want to address on my current employment situation. It has been my dream enable to work at MNCs for long time. But I finally realized that it'll need a recognized certificate in hand and of course a job luck. As a migrant worker who came from one of poorest countries in the world, how can I expect to get such lucrative work among well educated society? I understand I have to rely on hard working to fulfill my dream if it's suppose to get one day sooner or later.

It was 3 year ago, I arrived to a developed country and luckily I easily got a job from local SMEs. We usually have to go the same path at the beginning stage as our domestic experience are not recognized by new industrial due to vast different criteria. I comfortably set up myself in new workplace as my company is specialist contractor that need to pay attention on small area of professionalism. I enjoyed a good salary compare to my fellow peers by working in this SMEs. We are usually paid bonus for twice a year and we had a good employer. It didn't change even amid of recession time. What a pretty good experience is it?

However circumstance changed after couple years time, my local firm was acquired by a much bigger global corporate company that is based on UK. My new company even boasted as a biggest foundation company in the world by providing one stop foundation solution.We initially were so happy with the change as we could expect of better facilities and amenities. In fact, our mid-term bonus was effectively cut by new boss despite the business has gone well. We, all employees, are expecting mid term bonus as usual when the July was apporached to end last year but end with frustrating. Then we consoled ourselves that we are going to be given in Christmas time as new employer is Christian whose origin is western country. But again, we goes by with empty hand after Christmas season. It made employees confuse and ask themselves if it is time to change job now. But we, human being, never stop of dreaming and expect big bonus for CNY time as a combination effort. The significant changes after power transfer was we were busier than before with additional weekly, monthly, yearly report to head quarter.

The time goes by and CNY time is in the pipeline. Most of companies has shared their profit with their employee while we are still waiting for a carrot. I don't know when it will come and how much will it be exactly. Hope less or more we all we get it before official CNY holiday because we all deserve it for our year long tireless effort to make company grower. Finally I personally understood that the size doesn't matter as long as we are happy with the current employer.

Wish you a happy and prosperous lunar new year ahead.

Season of Expectation

IF WE CAN say Christmas time as a season of giving, then I want to label this Chinese New Year Time as a season of expectation. Why? I think needless to say if you are working in Asian country. As we all know and realize that this CNY time always bring us a long holiday and of course annual bonus/performance bonus. We all do expect this time less or more. Being a migrant worker, we can't expect so much bonus but it's still worthy to get because we can't save a lot from our hard earn money after spending necessities. At the end of the month, we'll have to upset by paying several bills such as accommodation, telephone, PUBs, etc. So to save one month salary in our saving account, we have to save about 3 months working time. So one month salary bonus would have save our time for approximately 3 months in regular basis.

From the very beginning of this January, staffs around office as well as site are chatting about when and how much can we get each others. They seem do not bother talking about that day after day despite nobody know it exactly. They seem enjoy to talk about that whenever they find spare time at office. Being office worker myself, I heard a lot noisy talk than ever this time regardless of languages. Since there are few different nationalities around me, I can sense what are they talking about despite I don't understand what they talk. Nevertheless it make us feel good to keep such dream until it surfaced finally. Until now, we are still waiting for unseen bonus. We are exciting and already got plan on what to do with this bonus in mind.

You know "going to the peak of mountain is better than reaching there". Hope this lunar new year may bring some goodies to my life.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Military Draft draws people's outrage


As a country of over 65 million genial people, I never thought it'ld be necessary to enact military draft to its people. But I myself is facing this life time experience as the new law come merciless without escaping even the women. Again I never thought I would become a soldier after I had failed my first attempt to become army officer after my matriculation exam some 17 years back. I wasn't happy unable to block my nephew entering army through army medical college. Finally the law came to boost the power of army that is already among the largest in the world in term of man power.

In this post-election days, we, people, are happy with the prospect of changing Junta to civilian party to rule our country to go ahead in search of developing country. What a disappointing news to learn the news that require adult men and women to serve minimum 2 years to defend our country? Every time, the state media said our country is peaceful and worthy to live in the world. They boast how rich our natural resources are. They resist how don't care international sanctions as long as we can stand on our own foot. Yes all they claim are seemingly right for a short-sighted people. I am not happy when MM Lee rated our leaders stupid. I am desperate to have an intelligent leader for my country. Unfortunately it's far to bridge at the moment.

As a new military draf state every men and women who passed 18 need to register for military service, I am eligible to serve as I am only mid 30s now. The law require those who are younger than 45 needs for men and 35 for women to register. Of course, the stick follow every enacted law despite there is no carrot appeared. Those who failed to register must face punishment for minimum 2 years in jail up to 5 years. This seems so serious and hopefully the law makers can soften it sooner or later. If this law is announced officially, this would be probably the first law come out from the very first parliament who is backed by military Junta. Since we are just people, we have no choice but to follow the law regardless of fair or unfair because there is no place to seek for any justice as it's against state.

I remember the day I read from local newspaper that one army officer from Singapore told his view upon their army. It read "Once the army is seem a hammer and whoever against them, the army will use it and the people will suffer, nowadays army are no longer like that in the world". I really liked that by the time I read and that's why I still remembering it despite it was read long time ago. Why people hate in my country? The answer is crystal clear and needless to say. As long as they are doing their job, people will doubtlessly love them for protecting their lives. Also it won't be difficult to recruit new soldiers as long as the army provide enough facilities and amenities to them. Today our army are likely to face shortage of lower ranking solders in all departments. On the other hand, the young people like to join army for Defense Service Academy who produce military officers with the prospect of getting a chance to become riches. It makes our army unbalanced and I think this problem drove Junta leaders to pass this military draft that can be outrage of our people so far.

May our law makers can do the right thing to ease and protect people's life without any fear.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Independence Day


TODAY is 4th January, 2011 and the independence day of Myanmar. It has been 63 years anniversary so far we had regained our independent status from British Colony. Over 6 decades is good enough to build a nation I think. Have we made our country a place to live? How can we measure a country's independence level in term of physical? I don't think a country can be called independence as long as its people are not free from fear, lack of right. Anyway this is special day for our history. Hopefully our people won't think it nothing but a public holiday. I don't know if they are able to participate mass celebration on this special occasion as some years back.

Hopefully our ruling party can create some special activities that can memorize our people the spirit of our heroes. We cannot be happy in life without the right patriotism. No matter where we stay or live, we must have the right attitude. We must understand how important is the historic days are. We are obliged to teach younger generation in respect of our national heroes. Anybody who failed this, he/she is considered traitor. Lets show our loyalty on the special day like independence day. Grab this opportunity to gather national strength as well as family tie.

Wish our country able to celebrate its Birthday with the vast population of patriots regardless of age, race, religion and background.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Fear Factor


Dear my daughter, the time of year 2010 end with a bad news that there has been another type of tainted foods coming from the same place, CHINA. It really make us worry as reality of buying and eating China-made products are tame to poor countries like our nation. Moreover we are their neighboring country and it's likely to import lower standard quality products from China. I can't imagine why people want to make money by putting public's lives at the stake. They might be called animals rather than a human beings. The Chinese authorities had tried their best one the last scandal of tainted milk that killed 2 infants and send thousands of babies to hospitals. Two manufacturers were executed for their unforgivable offense.

Now the authorities found another type of tainted foods at the south-western region where close to its richest cities such as Hong Kong. I'm really surprised to read that the 30 factories produced about 500 metric tonne per day of tainted rice noodle that is staple foods among Chinese. The authorities has recalled the foods from shelves but I'm sure the public has tasted such foods before the case is surfaced. There are other type of tainted foods other than rice noodle and milk. They are dyed vegetables, fake tofu, etc. They are made by rotted rice that is suppose to make for animal foods. The manufacturers tried to reduce production cost by using chemicals over allowable limit so that they can get better profit.

Other countries has a proper authority to check all imported materials and foods so that all are made sure suitable to consume to their public. So the chance of entering fake foods are less compare to those countries who doesn't has proper authority. I'm really concern about this news because we don't have effective authority to monitor the quality of import goods. On the other hand, our people are badly rely on China made products as they are cheap and affordable. The Chinese business people won't let our market escape from their money making tainted products. Hopefully, our public suffer minimum effect unless they can avoid them in their daily life.

May our people free from tainted foods and authority put the right gear up to tighten those merciless items.