Will 500,000 foreign workers truly not impact Malaysian jobs?

Question

Accepted Answer

The Entry of 500,000 Foreign Workers Is Not Expected to Affect Malaysian Employment Opportunities

The Malaysian Human Resources Minister, V. Sivakumar, has stated that the planned recruitment of 500,000 foreign workers this year will not negatively impact job prospects for Malaysian citizens. This influx is specifically targeted at sectors that have historically struggled to attract local labor, thereby addressing existing shortages and preventing potential economic disruptions.
Foreign Workers Targeted for Specific Sectors

The foreign workers are intended for industries such as plantation, agriculture, and construction, which are characterized by a low level of interest from the Malaysian workforce. Minister Sivakumar indicated that Malaysia has a high dependency on foreign labor in these fields, and a failure to secure adequate staffing could lead to significant operational disruptions and substantial financial losses for businesses within these sectors.
Addressing Post-Pandemic Labour Shortages

The need to bring in foreign workers is exacerbated by the significant outflow of foreign labor during the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 700,000 foreign workers departed Malaysia, creating a considerable labor deficit. This shortage poses a risk to the broader economy, as highlighted by the National Recovery Council member Datuk Michael Kang, who previously noted the necessity of 500,000 foreign workers to support micro, small, and medium enterprises during the nation's post-pandemic recovery.
Streamlined Hiring Process Implemented

In response to these labor demands, the Human Resources Ministry and the Ministry of Home Affairs have collaborated to implement a simplified and expedited process for hiring foreign workers. This new procedure is designed to be completed in as little as three days, aiming to quickly alleviate the critical labor shortages faced by businesses and prevent further economic repercussions.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Will 500,000 foreign workers truly not impact Malaysian jobs?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends