Malaysia may send foreign workers home

In a move which could affect Indians employed in Malaysia, the government here is likely to send home at least two lakh foreign workers by next year to promote job opportunities for locals.

It follows the government’s denial of reports earlier this month which had claimed that it had placed a freeze on recruitment of Indian workers. Malaysia, which relies heavily on labour from India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, has over 20 lakh foreign workers with approvals for two lakh arrivals this year. With immediate effect, the Home Ministry said it would not approve the work permit of any foreign worker who has been in the country for five years or longer. By reducing the number of foreign workers in many of the industries, employers will be forced to hire local workers at “reasonable” salaries. The government wants to reduce foreign workers to 18 lakh by next year and 15 lakh by 2015. “We are going to re-look at the policy of managing foreign workers,” Home Affairs Ministry Secretary General Raja Azhar Abdul Manap was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, assuaging the feelings of agitated ethnic Indians ahead of elections, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi on Sunday declared the Hindu festival of Thaipusam a national holiday. News Source : Samachar