PKR urges gov't not to allow 100pct recruitment of foreign workers

PKR Youth has urged the government to review its proposal to allow export-oriented companies to recruit "100 percent foreign workers" for their production lines.

In a statement today, PKR Youth strategic director Akmal Nasir raised concerns of the negative impact of allowing the hiring of 100 percent foreign workers - one of which he said will be local graduates left out of the job market.

The government had recently stated its readiness to consider the application by export-oriented companies, who have asked to be allowed to recruit 100 percent foreign workers for their productions lines. 

As of last year, he said the ratio of local workers and foreign workers hired in all sectors was 1:3.

He said if the government allows 100 percent intake of foreign workers the ratio will see a disparity of 0:3.  

"We have long heard the complaints of unemployed local graduates and their struggle to get a job because priority has been given to foreign workers," he lamented.

After a visit to a factory in Senai on Oct 10, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the government is mulling the idea of allowing 100 percent foreign worker intake by exporting companies - to meet current and future demand for locally manufactured goods.

"The government must not give the excuse that local graduates have declined to work in these sectors. We have seen for ourselves, of a graduate in engineering, working as a house cleaner due to limited job opportunities relevant to his academic qualification.

He also raised concerns that other sectors too could be monopolised by foreign workers.

He said most foreign workers will start working in a single sector but later will move on to other sectors and monopolise the job market or even set up their own business.

He said the government must give priority to creating opportunities for locals to be the larger part of the workforce in the country.- Mkini