Reducing need for foreigners

Only a small percentage of foreigners working at Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur in Selayang are legal. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star

The Covid-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the large number of foreigners, both documented and undocumented, living and working in Kuala Lumpur.

The issue came to the fore after several places in the capital city were put under enhanced movement control order (MCO) when some foreign workers tested positive for Covid-19.

Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa noted there were over 10,000 foreign workers living in Selayang, many of whom were working at Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur, the main wholesale market in the city.

The number does not include those living and working in other enhanced MCO areas like Jalan Masjid India, many of whom live in cramped conditions and substandard accommodation.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan acknowledged that the number of foreigners living in enhanced MCO areas was high.

“Previously we didn’t know where many of them stayed, but now we do, ” he told StarMetro.

He said some might have entered the country legally to work in sectors like agriculture in other states but eventually ended up in Kuala Lumpur.

As a local authority, he said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) could only do so much.

“We have no power to take action against these illegal foreign workers, many of whom are working in wet markets and food courts. We can only take action under the Federal Territory Wholesale Market 2002 by-law.

“We have been carrying out enforcement and have rules that market and food court traders are not supposed to hire foreign workers, but they still do it.

“Now we tell them that they can hire, but they have to make sure the workers are legal with proper documentation.

“Employers give excuses that they don’t have enough manpower and that Malaysians shun this type of work, ” he said.

Nor Hisham said that on DBKL’s part, they could only cancel licence and compound those who hired illegal immigrants.

“Even if we cancel the licence of traders who hired illegal workers, it does not solve the problem as these foreigners will still be out there looking for another job and that in itself is going to create social problems, ” he noted.

He said plans were underway to revise the way DBKL handled and managed illegal foreign workers in the city.

“We are looking at all sectors and industries, not just markets and food courts, ” he said, calling for political will and inter-agency cooperation.

“The Covid-19 pandemic is a wake-up call to ensure something is done about this once and for all, ” he said.

Foreigners preferredEmployers interviewed said they had no choice but to hire foreigners as Malaysians were not willing to do dangerous, dirty and difficult jobs.

“I will never hire a local to work because they are simply unreliable, ” said Mansor Shah, a retailer working in Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur.

“I have hired locals before when DBKL ruled six years ago that we only employ locals. I tried but failed.“They (locals) would come late, spend more time smoking or having tea and refused to work overtime, even though I was willing to pay them extra, ” Mansor said.

“They are not willing to take criticism and when scolded, they cry, ” said K. Raj, who runs an electronics shop in Jalan Silang.

“There is always one excuse or another to avoid coming to work. One worker seemingly had family members dying every other week, ” Raj said.

“I would be happy to hire locals as it would save me a lot of money, ” said employer Bahadur Ahmad.

“I pay thousands of ringgit (in foreign worker levy fees) for five of my staff who are from Bangladesh.

“And that is not including the other costs that I have to pay to agents, among others. It is a lot of money.

“I would prefer to hire locals who are willing to work hard, but it is difficult to find, ” asked Bahadur.

He said Malaysians shunned such jobs and preferred becoming e-hailing drivers or delivery riders as those jobs offered more freedom and flexibility.

A vegetable seller said foreign workers took instructions well and were not afraid of hard work.

“It is impossible for our business to survive without foreign workers, ” said the seller who did not want to be identified.

Although he employed legal foreign workers, he would also hire those without a permit whenever he needed casual labour.

He paid them between RM45 and RM80 a day, adding that those with experience could command a higher rate.

Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers Association president Wong Keng Fatt blamed the tedious application process to obtain a work permit for the rise in the number of illegal foreign workers.

“Traders would have to go to the Immigration Department as early as 5am and wait several hours.

“Many would get fed up and resort to hiring illegal workers instead, ” he said.

Wong also highlighted the high costs involved in registering foreign workers in the service sector.

“We have to fork out about RM4,000 or up to RM6,000 if we go through an agent.

“In other industries such as factories, it is much cheaper to hire a foreign worker.”

Wong said there were probably only 50 to 100 foreign workers at the wholesale market in Selayang who are registered with the authorities.

Two legal foreign workers interviewed by StarMetro said they were happy with the salary and work conditions here.

“We make more money in Malaysia doing the same thing for the same amount of time, ” said Pawan, from Bangladesh.

“I am able to send money home and still have some balance for myself, ” he said.

Pawan’s employer pays for his accommodation and his workplace in Masjid India is only a few metres away from where he stays.

Rosul from Pakistan does not need to pay for accommodation either, but has to share with 10 others.

“I am willing to work hard and can save money here. It is better, ” he said.