The government will lift the freeze on hiring foreign workers for four sectors due to what has been determined to be an ‘acute shortage’.
These sectors are: manufacturing, construction, plantation and furniture-making.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai was quoted as saying that while the suspension on hiring remains for other sectors, the government was already looking into a better system for getting foreign labour in, and this would lead to a gradual lift on freeze.
“In view of the acute shortage, we have to lift the suspension to allow these sectors to bring in foreign workers,” Liow was quoted as saying in a report by The Star Online‘s Noel Foo.
“On other sectors, we will go on a case-by-case basis, while waiting for the creation of a more foolproof, transparent and accountable system.”
“Workers are important for the productivity of these sectors, so if employers face too many uncertainties in hiring workers, that will not go well for the nation’s economic growth,” he was quoted further.
In February, the government announced a suspension on the intake of all foreign workers to review its revised two-tier levy programme for foreign workers.
“Foreign workers without valid documents or have overstayed in the country will be arrested and sent back to their country of origin,” Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said, adding that the suspension would be set in place until manpower needs for these industries have been determined.
