advantage. The importance of ergonomics awareness and
the productivity loss due to ergonomic inefficiencies
are yet to be seen, however, as a strategic cost saving for
most companies in this country.
Malaysia is among the five largest exporters of semiconductor
devices in the world valued at RM96.5 billion
(US$30 billion; UNCTAD Handbook of Statistics,
2006–2007) or 39.4% of total electronics export.
The Malaysian semiconductor industry is facing threats
from low cost countries with limited innovative capabilities
such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam. The
nation wants to improve productivity and reduce occupational
safety and health (OSH) problems in semiconductor
industries to be competitive in the emerging
globally competitive environment.