Foreign Workers In Malaysia Article

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of the straits times on september 17 2016 with the headline the dilemma of having foreign workers in malaysia.

Foreign workers in malaysia article. This has given rise to an active debate on foreign workers impact on malaysian workers and firms and created an urgent need for an evidence based understanding of the role of foreign workers in the malaysian economy. Singapore and hong kong have both attracted a strong talented foreign pool but malaysia is the opposite we are a. Malaysia needs educated and highly skilled foreign workers in the long run. There are currently 1 781 598 foreign workers in the country as of 30 june 2017 says the home ministry.

That is the predicament of malaysia s foreign workers today. The growing presence of foreign workers in malaysia can be explained by excess demand for labour combine with rapid economic growth as well as the cheaper cost of foreign workers. Malaysia is trying to overcome its reliance on low skilled foreign workers as it tries to move up the economic ladder. Restricting low skilled foreign workers who officially account for 15 per cent of the labour force the real number may be much higher is one part of that move.

The share of foreign workers in the malaysian labour force has increased substantially over the last two decades. But that s hurting some key industries in the country. Malaysias invisible workforce in an interview with malaysian digest malaysian employers federation mef executive director datuk shamsuddin bardan pic said there are currently 2 8 to 2 9 million migrant workers in malaysia. Print edition subscribe.

Awang was responding to a question from lubok antu member of parliament mp jugah muyang about initiatives taken by the government to reduce the number of foreign workers in malaysia.