KUALA LUMPUR – The Human Resources Ministry has received 111,807 applications for migrant workers since it was opened last February 15 until yesterday, said its minister, Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.
He said of the total, 77,848 applications were for workers in the manufacturing sector, followed by plantations (13,119), services (10,611), construction (8,530) and agriculture (1,699).
“I do not deny that at the early stage when the application was opened, some employers had problems applying online.
“This was due to the high number of applications since the application for foreign workers had been stopped temporarily since March 2020 following the implementation of the first movement control order,” he said in a statement here today.
Apart from that, Saravanan said, employers were also allowed to apply through the Private Sector Employment Agency (APS), which was previously only allowed for applications for domestic maids.
“During a meeting with employers and the associations recently, I was informed about the problems and that they have used the services of APS for the purpose.
“Therefore, APS can apply on behalf of the employers on the condition that the applications are submitted with the knowledge and permission of the employers concerned,” he added.
On December 10 last year, Saravanan was reported to have said that the country was facing a critical shortage of workers in the five 3D (dirty, dangerous, difficult) sectors, namely plantations, manufacturing, development, agriculture, and services due to poor response from local workers.
Prior to that, the government announced that entries of migrant workers must comply with the standard operating procedures on the entry of migrant workers which had been approved by the Covid-19 Quartet Ministers Meeting on December 14, 2021.
The SOPs encompass three phases, namely pre-departure, arrival, and after arrival. – Bernama, February 21, 2022
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