Foreign workers in Malaysia to exceed a million in 2023 (Photo: hr.asia) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - The Federation of MalaysianManufacturers (FMM) believes that the number of foreign workers in Malaysiawill easily exceed 1 million in 2023.
FMMpresident Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said the recruitment of foreign workers hasimproved from previous years, with the government’s implementation of theForeign Worker Recruitment Relaxation Plan from Jan 17 to March 31.
According to the FMM BusinessConditions Survey for the second half of 2022, more than half (59%) of the respondents said that they can meet their foreign worker needs and obtaintheir quota approval. The 22nd edition of the survey, released on March 16,was carried out from Jan. 18 to Feb. 28, with a total of 745 respondentsnationwide.
Speaking ata press conference, the official revealed that only 8%, which is a small number, werenot able to meet their foreign worker needs and obtain their quota approvalwhile the other 33% had indicated “non-applicable”.
Among the59%, most (40%) were subject to a long wait time to obtain their visa withreference (VDR) from the Immigration Department, he said, but there werealso those (27%) who experienced a smooth and fast processing of theirVDR.
He noted in terms ofsourcing for workers at the source country, one-third of the respondents (33%)were able to do so easily, but 21% still faced difficulties.
Meanwhile,among the 8% who cannot meet their foreign worker needs, he said mostattributed it to the slow approval process (16%) and lengthy process thatincluded many conditions to be fulfilled (14%). Another 12% said theapplication is still in progress.
In addressing their skilledworker needs, Soh said more than half of the respondents faced difficulties inrecruiting (68%) and retaining such workers (59%).
Amid the challenges faced, the official said many respondents are willing to collaborate with education and skillstraining institutions to offer work-integrated learning programmes such asinternships, apprenticeships, place and train schemes (34%), as well ascurriculum development (29%).
Many are also willing toincrease their investment on upskilling and re-skilling their existing staff(34%), he added./.
