It is generally known that foreign construction workers are the driving force for major construction projects in Malaysia. They come here for the money and opportunity, and they need us as much as we need them. Although the government has ensured them that their well-being are attended to, there are still few employers who are irresponsible towards their foreign workers. The fact is, these individuals are here so their earnings can be shared with their families back home who prays that their husbands, wives, sons and daughters are safe and sound.
During the 80s, Malaysia was among the fastest developing countries in terms of mega-projects development in the region. Since then, foreign workers have become an integral part of the nation’s construction development, taking up more than fifth of employment in the agriculture, construction and manufacturing sectors (Labour Force Survey Report 2016 Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia). This has long since been a rising opportunity for foreign workers mostly from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, and especially the neighbouring Indonesia.
Rapid projects development has caused the demand for foreign labours to increase, but it comes with it its issues. Issues that concerns not only the employers and employees, but has also become a major concern among the public from illegal immigrants, criminal activities, and social problems.
Response To Issues, Brick-by-Brick
In minimising the “concerned” issues, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia issues permit licenses to allow contractor or construction-related business to operate legally within the construction industry in Malaysia. To which, CIDB regulates foreign construction labours with Construx Green Card registration to legally work for construction companies in Malaysia with accommodating their benefits, wages, and living quarters under the registered CIDB construction companies they work for.
This enable CIDB to monitor and have control over the allocated number of foreign construction labours in the construction industry. While the Construx mobile app can be used as an e-ID to enter construction sites, a handy Site Supervisor Module is also available for construction site supervisors to do fast verification and attendance report and monitoring of employee on site via QR scan. This innovative convenience is imminent in terms of identifying presence of legal and expired construction site workers throughout the nation.
Collaborative Effort Via Unique Programme Solution
Construx is essentially a brand with product & solution line-up that came about from a collaboration programme between Construction Industry Development Board (“CIDB”) Malaysia and Bayo Pay (M) Sdn Bhd (a licensed entity under BNM to issue Designated Payment Instrument under S.11 of the FSA 2013 and a principal member of Mastercard Asia/Pacific Pte.Ltd. and referred to as “Bayo”).
This initiative is part of the government effort to not only enhance the service delivery to stakeholders but to also digitalise and transform the construction industry in Malaysia.
“The digital sector was the new driver for Malaysia’s economic growth, and CIDB is passionate about implementing this digital transformation plan with local fintech company Bayo Pay.” ~ Former CIDB Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ahmad ‘Asri Abdul Hamid
The Construx programme consists of a number of products designed under this programme; CIDB Construx Card, Construx Wallet and Portal as well as Construx Payroll. The CIDB Construx Card, Construx Wallet and Portal are intended for the use of all the construction personnel accredited by CIDB Malaysia whilst Construx Payroll is intended for the use of the employers of the construction personnel. The Construx mobile app also features the Affin Bank Virtual Account where construction companies/employers can pay salary using the virtual account. No cash, no opening of bank account is required for all foreign construction workers.
Digitalising the Construction Industry
Through Construx since 2019, foreign construction workers can now enable their purchasing power via the convenience of cashless payments that also functions as an ID, Payment and Salary Card. It is equipped with more security features i.e. 2-Factor Authentication Security Standard; EMV-certified chip and QR code, highly secure, tamper-proof and nearly impossible to counterfeit.
Additionally, foreign workers can send money to their families via the Construx remittance feature available in the mobile app with a more competitive and cheaper rates. Construx is the solution to providing foreign construction workers with complete convenience and full control of their money at the tip of their fingers anytime, anywhere.
That being said, CIDB has made it clear that construction companies that operates any form of misconduct will be dealt with sternly. And to ensure that employers pay their foreign workers, they have the option to use the Virtual Account feature available in the app or the Construx Payroll platform for easy salary payments directly into their employees card and app without the need for physical cash, and CIDB can monitor employers who failed to pay their employees.
Constructive Data & Analytics
Today, data and analytics are the main components used to identify and market their products. Its purpose is to establish consumer demographics, build brand awareness and segmentise their product’s placement value. Bayo Pay focuses on the construction industry targeting at foreign construction workers by identifying their needs and help empower their payment methods via an inclusive mobile payment solution that is easy, fast and safe for use.
For every registered Construx Card by a foreign worker, they are paired with a mobile app that is linked to their card at no cost. By far, Construx is a comprehensive payment solution that caters exclusively to foreign construction workers all under one single programme.
In perspective, although it may not hinder all issues, it is somewhat adequate in helping construction workers to focus on what is more important, and that is knowing they are paid legal workers and would encourage them to abide to our rules and regulations. They can now feel more confident to work in Malaysia feeling more protected and appreciated.
To this focus in mind, we hope they would share the same appreciation and consciously help lessen the concerning issues at hand for employees and employers of the construction industry, the concerned public, and the nation.
“When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” ~ Simon Sinek
In retrospect, you get what you give. What you put into things is what you get out of them. That’s the way the world works, and convenience helps when it works. And at Bayo Pay, we’re all about providing convenient solutions that matters.
