Employers’ group hits out at flip-flop on foreign workers

Malaysian Employers Federation Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan hopes the ongoing intake of foreign workers will not be affected by Putrajaya's latest announcement of a freeze on migrant workers. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 19, 2016.The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has asked if the suspension of Putrajaya's plan to bring in Bangladeshi workers would affect those foreign workers who are already in the process of being brought into the country.

MEF executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan also criticised Putrajaya for its lack of long-term policy on foreign workers.

Saying he was surprised by the announcement of the suspension by Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Bardan said Putrajaya needed to take a more long term and stable view in policy-making.

"We don't know what just happened today, everything seems to be temporary in nature and changed without prior notification.

"More often than not, we stakeholders only hear about matters that affect us through the media.

"This is a sad state of affairs which gives employers a lot of difficulty," he said.

Bardan said he hoped the suspension would not affect earlier approved intake of foreign workers.

"I'm really surprised, but for sure, this is going to ruffle some feathers among our members as business is a continuous process, it cannot be simply switched on and off," he added.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general N. Gopal Kishnam (pic, left) welcomed the move to put on hold the intake of foreign workers, but said there should still be a royal commission of inquiry into foreign labour needs in the country.

He said such a move could help in coming up with proper guidelines on foreign workers.

He added that the RCI should also review the outsourcing of the business of importing foreign workers.

Gopal also believed Putrajaya suspended the intake of 1.5 million workers from Bangladeshis due to MTUC's memos yesterday to the Home Ministry and Human Resources Ministry.

He said the trade union would continue pressure Putrajaya for an RCI on foreign workers.

Zahid announced today that Putrajaya was putting on hold recruitment of foreign workers from all source countries, including Bangladesh.

The announcement came hours after the human resources minister said not all of the 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers were meant for the country, adding that the figure was the number of Bangladeshi citizens registered with their government for employment abroad.

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), meanwhile, said more details were needed on the suspension.

It said it was unclear how long the suspension would take effect, adding that some employers already received approvals to bring in foreign workers.

The manufacturers group also hoped the government would consult the industry in order to develop stable policies for the business community.

"We hope that the government will consult with the industry and develop transparent, consistent and stable policies which are very important for the business community.

"In the meantime, FMM urges the government to review its decision to suspend recruitment and also renewals via the MyEG system which is the single avenue for renewal of foreign worker work permits," it said in a statement.

The federation also urged the government to give due consideration to employers who already have approvals to bring foreign workers into the country.

It said employers had always made efforts to recruit local workers first, as required by the government, before applying to bring in foreign workers.

As such, companies that have obtained approval have already justified their need for foreign workers, FMM said.

It also hoped the levy and recruitment issues over foreign workers would be resolved soon to avoid any damaging effect on the economy. – February 19, 2016.