HR Minister: Entry of 500,000 Foreign Workers Won’t Affect Job Market

Malaysians shouldn’t worry about the job market as the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) assures that the entry of foreign workers in the country will not affect local employment opportunities. Foreign workers will be placed in specific sectors that local workers don’t have much interest in to avoid conflict. 

In a report by New Straits Times, the MOHR rolled out the Foreign Workers Employment Relaxation Plan, which is expected to bring in around 500,000 foreign workers for five critical sectors. These are agriculture, construction, farming, manufacturing, and services (restaurants).

“Our data show that 500,000 foreign workers are very much needed in these critical sectors. If there is a need to get more foreign workers, we will add. But, it cannot exceed more than 2.4 million foreign workers as stipulated under the 12th Malaysia Plan,” HR Minister V. Sivakumar said at the Gala Awards Dinner of the 20th Human Resources Development Ministry on Tuesday, Jan. 17.