You make some good points. And maybe it is all culture shock to me. But some of the points you make are clearly why there is a big problem, in my view in Malaysian workplace today.

Yes there are abuses of the system by employees. Of course there should be a mutual understanding and work ethics in place so employer and employee can collaborate well and achieve desired results.

In theory what you say sounds very nice. But in reality, let's face some other facts which some people have encountered.
1.
If there is no law for those earning > 1.5K then what are the guidelines in place? What are minimum hours? If it is based on the contract, then most contract states "you may be required to work for extra hours etc. etc.". If there is a dispute on contract wording, etc, who is going to resolve, the courts? Employment law for everybody is important because it sets basic guidelines for employers and employees, improves productivity by reducing the need for dispute and litigation. In some cases it is to protect the health of people because in countries (like Malaysia) where the government has free or subsidised healthcare overworked workers can encounter many health issues which the government has to bear the expense, while the employer doesn't have to bear the expense for unhealthy workers.
2.
"People just work for money". I think while this perception dominates Malaysia will never progress beyond "the developing country that's better than Africa and places like Vietnam but behind US, UK, Australia, Europe, Singapore, maybe even some cities in China, India, South America..." ... If you all truly feel Malaysian, 1Malaysia, or whatever, you will realise the goal of people is to improve their lives and their communities. Money is of course the basic unit of survival, but in many other countries art, good government, research, all contribute greatly to improving a country. Do you think Malaysia will ever create a Google, Twitter, CNN? Do you think there will ever be a pure Buatan Malaysia electric car that wasn't developed because of billions of overspending by the government? What sort of world-class universities do we have? Where it isn't just students from Africa and the Middle East that come here?

People need to have a more holistic view of wealth and economy. In the longer term view, GDP growth and the status, attractiveness of a nation goes beyond just wages. Yes, overseas most people work just to get income. But there is a system in place for great achievements in science, research, technology, manufacturing, agriculture. You say, work is just for money. But for the employers as well, what about pride in what their company does? Corporate social responsibility?

All these advance a nation, and guess what, makes everybody richer as a whole. Working for more than money can eventually lead you to have more money as a country and a higher standard of living.

Again, I'm not saying, eg., US and Europe is perfect. But how did they achieve, and maintain, and despite the debt market meltdown, still have such a higher standard of living? Why are talented Malaysians continually leaving the country and not coming back? Not just money. Malaysia has good weather, good food, people have family here, golf courses, decent shopping, many nature activities. People are not leaving just because they can get x amount more overseas, starting a new life with no friends and family in a cold foreign country is no joke.
3.
"Relating back to companies, each company have their in-house rules pertaining to do's and don'ts. The rules are there for a reason(s). If one is simply unhappy about it, one can choose to resign from the company." ... "this is the wrong perception rexis, the labour dept actually is pro-employee compared to employer. If the complainant comes with clean hands, if the complaint is genuine, i dont see why not a case should not be brought against an employer."

Again, you talk about an ideal situation. But from my experience and the experience of many others I am sure, there exists such a power gap between you and your boss (because they have access to funds, they have a higher social status, they may be Datuk this-or-that and have government connections). This power gap results in reality, to a situation whereby having a rational, mutually respectful discussion between employee and employer is not really possible. As a new employee, or as someone being offered a job, you try discussing your appointment letter, conditions of work, then going to the Labour department (which doesn't cover you anyway if you are more than 1.5K, right?) and your boss will probably think you are trying to be funny and "punish" you in underhanded ways.

Or, you will be asked to find a new job. Which then is a loss for the employer because they have to pour (waste) even more resources of finding people that are all just looking to survive, collect their salary, and then leave after several months or just over a year.
4.
Many economists say growth and improvement in the wealth of people in a country comes from productivity. Yes, what you spell out as work ethics is the basic principles of employment. But while thismusical chairs game between employees and employers continues, there are enormous losses in productivity which limit everybody from making more money.
5.
This time I am confident I am not ranting. For those that just want to survive, just get their paycheck, just follow their daily life, if you are happy, that is your right. But, if, as a Malaysian citizen, like me, you believe in this country and community, there needs to be a new standard, a new level, a new attitude for better collaboration between employers and employees. Of course the people that just cabut and are lazy should be filtered out. The problem is that talented, dedicated people (I have seen this personally) get victimised or burnt out as well because employers have "given up" and treat every worker the same as just "an ordinary worker, whatever".

---

Added on December 6, 2009, 11:33 am

And how many cases are there where the employer also reasonably adheres to the terms/ guidelines/ rules/ customs/ practices in a fair manner? Many people here and those you know can cite instances where what you would consider "good employees", do not receive the appropriate reciprocal fair treatment from the employer.

---

Added on December 6, 2009, 11:45 am

More money may mean a "better lifestyle" but does not necessarily mean a better life.

People changing jobs for RM 200 more a month is very common in Malaysia, as I understand and have observed. WTF? What better lifestyle or life do you get if this means you're always changing jobs here and there to try and get something better? And for RM 200 extra you travel an extra 1 hour each way by bus or in terrible traffic jam that makes you even more stressed out?

I would think improvement in skills, job satisfaction, distance to work, ease of access to public transport or road systems to get to work would also matter besides money.

Of course if you're talking between 1.5K and 2.5K or 2.5K and 4K this can have a big impact on your personal wealth. But the frequent changing of jobs and unhappiness because of a few hundred RM here or there is what I find, strange.

And the concept of "better lifestyle" -- means what, a BMW instead of a Kelisa? A house instead of a condo? Getting the latest Tissot watch or LV bag? Getting to show this off to your colleagues and friends? Jamming up the roads even more and the increased air pollution in our cities? More stress chasing down parking spots at ever more crowded car parks? Then having only the weekends to cram in all your activities at super-crowded malls? Not having enough time for your parents, your child, leaving the maids to teach them the important things in life? Stabbing co-workers and friends in the back to get ahead for this "better lifestyle"?