PUTRAJAYA – The Home Ministry has revealed that some 180,000 migrant workers have arrived in the country, since the government has eased hiring conditions amid manpower shortages in key economic sectors in the country.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the number only comprises roughly 20% of nearly one million approved quota applications for migrant workers so far.
He added that the low number of arrivals is due to financial challenges faced by companies in paying levies and other associated costs to bring in the workers.
“Certain companies filed applications based on a projected quota to meet their needs, but they may not have the financial strength to bring the workers in one go.
“They instead do a staggered intake or bring them in phases.
“Another issue is that the source country is facing difficulties finding people to fill these positions,” he said, adding that his ministry is working hard with the Human Resource Ministry to help address this issue.
Saifuddin was speaking in a press conference here after attending the monthly meeting for Home Ministry officials here.
He said the government has relaxed certain policies to ensure fast approval of these applications to meet the country’s economic needs post pandemic.
On March 14, Human Resource Minister V. Sivakumar said the ministry has approved a total of 995,396 employment quotas for migrant workers from various sectors. – The Vibes, March 22, 2023
