SANDAKAN – It is not the right time to hire foreign workers and bring them into the country, said Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong.
The DAP representative said the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry’s plan to get a travel ban exemption for some 20,000 foreign workers to be hired by plantation firms and enter the country is not suitable at a time when the Covid-19 situation is still serious.
“Covid-19 infection statistics show that cases are climbing. We cannot risk allowing such a high number of people from other countries to enter Malaysia, as it may lead to an increase in infections.”
Last Thursday, Minister Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said his ministry is working to obtain a government exemption on the hiring of foreign labour, totalling some 20,000 workers.
Chong said there is no need for foreign workers to enter Malaysia, especially in Sabah, as the state has a sufficient supply of foreign workforce.
“Companies should fill in the vacancies by hiring existing migrants in the country.
“I also suggest these companies find ways to attract locals to work in the plantation sector.” – The Vibes, May 8, 2021
