Malaysia To Stop Using Foreign Workers, Says Minister

Sinchew - Malaysia wants to completely stop using foreign workers, whose numbers have reached nearly 3 million, many of whom are in the country illegally, a news report said Wednesday (16 Apr).

The Star daily quoted Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar as saying he will seek the cooperation of the Human Resources Ministry and employers to reduce their numbers.

"We want to see the demand for foreigners totally scrapped, that is our aim," Syed Hamid was quoted as saying. "We need cooperation from those who are seeking workers."

He said a "collective and planned effort" from all parties is required to ensure that "we depend on our own citizens" to fill jobs.

Syed Hamid's office could not be immediately reached to confirm the report.

He did not say how the government hopes to persuade Malaysians _ who have no dearth of jobs _ to do low-paying menial work for which employers depend on Indonesians, Nepalese, Bangladeshis, Myanmarese and Indians. Many of them are employed as plantation workers, cleaners, waiters, maids, gas station attendants and gardeners. more...