KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — A total of 434 companies, involving more than 34,000 quotas, have been recommended for approval until July 9 for the recruitment of foreign workers, the Plantation and Commodities Ministry (KPK) said today.
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the special approvals aim to address labour shortages and boost national productivity and output.
“To tackle the shortage, the government has granted special quota approvals for foreign worker recruitment in the plantation sector on a case-by-case basis,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during question-and-answer time today.
Chan was responding to Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham's query about the workforce needs in the plantation sector, particularly in oil palm and rubber, and the quotas given to address the shortfall.
He added that the Immigration Department's statistics as of June 30 this year showed there were 258,153 active Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) holders in the plantation sector.
However, Chan noted this is still insufficient, with the industry reporting an additional need of 30,000 to 40,000 workers, taking into account those who have returned to their home countries after their permits expired.
