Saravanan: 111,807 applications for foreign workers received since Feb 15

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry has received 111,807 applications for foreign workers from Feb 15 to 20, says Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (pic).

The Human Resources Minister said of the total, 77,848 were for workers in the manufacturing sector, followed by plantations (13,119), services (10,611), construction (8,530) and agriculture (1,699).

"At the early stage when applications were opened, some employers had problems applying online.

"This was due to the high number of applications, as 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 Monday (Feb 21).

Apart from that, Saravanan said, employers in these sectors were now allowed to apply through the Private Sector Employment Agency which previously only allowed applications for domestic maids.

"During a meeting with employers and the associations recently, I was informed about the problems and told that they used the agency's services for the purpose.

"Therefore, the agency may 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 Dec 10, Saravanan said 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.

The government also announced that entry of foreign workers must comply with standard operating procedures (SOP) as approved by the Covid-19 Quartet Ministers Meeting on Dec 14.

The SOP encompasses pre-departure, arrival and post-arrival. – Bernama