KUALA LUMPUR: The government cannot adopt an overly open approach when it comes to hiring foreign workforce at present, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.
He said that the government and ministry’s focus currently was to provide job opportunities for Malaysians, especially when the country is still struggling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that since there was still a freeze on hiring foreign workforce and the country’s borders too were still closed, a detailed study on the hiring of foreign workers for several sectors needed to be carried out first.
“Regarding this issue (hiring of foreign workforce), we will hold a joint meeting with several relevant ministries, including the Home Ministry on March 29 and we will also ask the relevant agencies to prepare working papers for a detailed study.
“We can’t take an approach that is too open, detailed studies must be carried out first so as not to jeopardise (job opportunities for) Malaysians,” he said after taking part in an integrated enforcement operation in Bangsar last night.
Previously, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali was reported to have said that talks would be held with the Home Ministry and Human Resources Ministry to hire foreign workforce following an urgent need in the plantation sector.
On the integrated operation, Saravanan said about 70 business premises were inspected to ensure compliance of regulations under the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
He said the operation was carried out to ensure the welfare of employees was taken care of, especially in terms of compliance of standard operating procedure (SOP) to curb the spread of the pandemic now that more economic sectors are allowed to operate during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Kuala Lumpur.
About 200 enforcement officers and personnel from various agencies, including the National Security Council (MKN), Health Ministry and Immigration Department, took part in the operation.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sat Mar 20 2021
Saravanan said that the government and ministrys focus currently was to provide job opportunities for Malaysians.
'No one will win a trade war,' China says after Trump tariff threat
Donald Trump says he would impose the tariffs until China stops the flow of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.
What has caused Pakistan's deadly clashes between police and supporters of Imran Khan?
Topping the demands of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is the release of all its leaders, including Khan, who has been jailed on a series of corruption charges since August 2023.
One woman or girl killed every 10 minutes by intimate partner or family member - UN
The report highlights that "60 per cent of all female homicides" are committed by "people closely related to them".
Sweden urges Chinese ship to return for undersea cable investigation
Two subsea cables, one linking Finland and Germany and the other connecting Sweden to Lithuania, were damaged in less than 24 hours.
![[COLUMNIST] Building more highways won’t solve traffic congestion - reducing demand will](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/51681984153_AlirantrafikLebuh.jpg "[COLUMNIST] Building more highways won’t solve traffic congestion - reducing demand will")
[COLUMNIST] Building more highways won’t solve traffic congestion - reducing demand will
It is clear that adding more lanes and highways doesn't work, because we are still attempting the same approach to solve the issue.
Hyundai to invest RM2.16 bil in Malaysia through strategic partnership with INOKOM
This investment includes efforts to upgrade INOKOM's existing assembly capacity to meet Hyundai's automotive needs.
‘C4Cinta’ sets record as highest-grossing Malaysian Tamil film
'C4Cinta', directed by young filmmaker Karthik Shamalan, has set a new benchmark in Malaysian Tamil cinema.
Man charged with mother's murder, storing body in freezer
The court denied bail and scheduled case mention on Feb 7 for the submission of forensic, autopsy, and chemist reports.
Abolition of examination in schools to reduce pressure on pupils - Fadhlina
The classroom assessment approach offers a much more interesting learning ecosystem, says Fadhlina Sidek.
Google, Meta urge Australia to delay bill on social media ban for children
Google and Meta says the government should wait for the results of an age-verification trial before going ahead.
Judge tosses Trump 2020 election case after prosecutors' request
It represents a big legal victory for Donald Trump, who won the Nov. 5 US election and is set to return to office on Jan. 20.
DHL plane crash in Lithuania leaves authorities searching for answers
Rescue services said the plane hit the ground, split into pieces and slid over 100 metres (110 yards).
National squad to hold friendly matches for 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup
The warm-up matches will involve matches against better ranked teams in the world, namely Austria (first) and Belgium (third).
G7 seeks unity on ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu
The United States, part of the G7, has rejected the ICC decision, with President Joe Biden describing it as outrageous.
Francissca Peter remembers Tan Sri Ahmad Nawab: A tribute to a musical legend
A legend who has influenced our music for decades, was one of the highlights of my career, says Francissca Peter.
TikTok decision coming soon as Jan. 19 divestment deadline looms
Judges are reviewing TikTok's challenge to a law requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by Jan. 19 or face a ban.
Lebanese sources: Biden, Macron set to announce Israel-Hezbollah truce
In Washington, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, "We're close" but "nothing is done until everything is done".
PM meets chaebol tycoon to attract more FDI to Malaysia
Chaebols are prominent figures from South Korea's family-owned conglomerates.
Govt won't allow non-citizen vehicles to enjoy RON95 subsidy - Economy Ministry
The implementation of the RON95 subsidy in 2025 is expected to provide savings of RM3.6 billion to government expenditure.
Ringgit opens lower as greenback gains ground
Dr Mohd Afzanizam says the market responded positively to news of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent heading the US Treasury Department.