Cabinet agreed to look into labour issues - Mustapa

The Cabinet today decided to look into critical labour needs faced by foreign and local companies, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

He said in this matter, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) with other agencies including the Immigration Department and Human Resource Ministry will work closely to identify the critical needs.

"As for critical areas, the government has a policy which allows some foreign companies to continue employing new foreign workers.

"But going foward, our policy is to encourage more Malaysians to be employed by foreign and local companies," he told a press conference after officiating Coca-cola Bottlers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd's New Production Line here today.

Mustapha said as for now, the government's policy was to legalise illegal workers under the Rehiring Programme.

"Yes, we do need foreign workers but our policy going forward is to legalise illegal workers. There are about two million illegal foreign workers in this country and at least one million illegal foreign workers needed to be legalised," he added.

In February, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced a freeze on the intake of foreign workers, including those from Bangladesh.