PUTRAJAYA, March 8 — The May 31 deadline set for recruiting foreign workers via the Labour Recalibration Programme 2.0 will remain due to national security factors, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The decision was reached collectively by all regulatory agencies under the Home Ministry (KDN) and the other ministries involved in the programme.
"KDN focuses on the elements of security and public order, the Human Resources Ministry from the perspective of the country's labour needs, and the Supervisory Agencies (AKS) as custodians of each sector concerned in terms of projecting the needs of foreign labor based on foreign workers' qualifications and salary requirements," he said.
Saifuddin was commenting on media reports regarding the call by the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) for the government to reverse its decision to bring forward the deadline for hiring foreign workers, which was made last week.
He said the deadline will enable the government to evaluate the effectiveness of the initiatives implemented and accurately assess the need for foreign labour in Malaysia.
"It is to assist the government before considering the need to open the quota for employing foreign workers and allows monitoring of the effectiveness of the adjustment measures that have been decided upon," Saifuddin said, adding it also provides room for the government to explore better foreign workers' management.
Meanwhile, the period for the entry of foreign workers should also be brought forward in line with the government's desire to expedite the process of admitting foreign workers to meet urgent industrial needs.
"This decision is also expected to prevent the exploitation of foreign workers as reported in the press," he said.
Meanwhile, RM2,899,900 in compounds have been successfully collected as of yesterday through the Migrant Repatriation Programme, which began on March 1.
During the period, 5,983 illegal immigrants were registered, with 1,864 having since returned to their country of origin.
"Immigrants from Indonesia recorded the highest number of returnees to their country of origin at 3,115 people, followed by 846 from Bangladesh, and 700 from India," Saifuddin said.
Immigrants recorded from other countries include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, the Philippines, Yemen, Syria, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam, and China.
— Bernama
