BY: AFIX REDZUAN
KUALA LUMPUR, APRIL 5: The freeze policy on the intake of foreign workers implemented by the Federal Government resulted in the lack of workers for almost a year to the local furniture manufacturers.
Seremban Member of Parliament, Anthony Loke Siew Fook said that although the country’s policy gives priority for work opportunities to local workers, it should not jeopardize certain sectors.
“I agree that priority be given to local workers.
“Before the Government or the ministry formulates a policy, even though it is said that the freeze policy has been withdrawn, why didn’t the Federal Government study beforehand and give flexibility to certain sectors especially to furniture manufacturers,” he said.
He said this during the additional oral question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat.
Mr Loke proposed to the Federal Government to give a period to the manufacturers to advertise their job vacancies to local workers before opening it up to foreigners.
The Deputy Human Resource Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib in his reply mentioned that the Federal Government has withdrawn the freeze on the intake of foreign workers effective February 2017.
However, the employers must advertise vacancies to local workers before hiring foreign workers.
“It takes effect on all sectors. Consequently, all employers in all approved sectors or subsectors may submit applications to hire foreign workers.
“However every application is still subjected to the terms and conditions specified and must be complied before hiring foreign workers,” he said.
Freeze on foreign workers applauded but must not jeopardise manufacturers
