'Hire local workers' - Zahid Hamidi

Employers who disagree with the cost of RM110 imposed on the i-Kad for foreign workers should not hire them, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He added employers should instead consider hiring locals, many of whom were still in need of a job.

He said at present, the cost of hiring foreign workers in Malaysia was still much lower than that in other countries.

“Malaysia only imposes a levy of RM1,850 for each foreign worker including for medical check-ups and this is far cheaper than that imposed in other countries.

“In countries such as Singapore and the UAE, employers would have to fork out not less than US$5,000 (RM16,300) for each foreign worker hired,” he said.

“Don’t think that locals are not keen to work. The government has set the minimum wage, so they must be paid the minimum wage and given other benefits.

“The problem is, employers only want to make huge profits and pay their workers low wages,” he said.