PETALING JAYA: Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar (pic) has a lot on his plate after taking over the reins during this uncertain economic period.
There are issues that need his immediate attention and the shortage of foreign workers – which is still plaguing local industries, with employers hoping to fill the vacancies at the optimum level – is perhaps high on the list.
Industry players believed that Malaysia’s economic recovery would be accelerated by the lifting of the ban on hiring of foreign workers.
Speaking to The Star, Sivakumar said 67,958 of the 75,751 applications submitted by 466 employers from the plantation sector had been approved as of Dec 2.
“We believe that these approved quotas will significantly meet the demand for foreign labour in the plantation sector,” he said.
According to the ministry, there are currently 1.3 million foreign workers in Malaysia.
As of Sept 26, the ministry had approved a total of 541,315 quotas for the recruitment of foreign workers.
Following this, it is believed that the market demand for some 1.8 million foreign workers had almost been met.
Sivakumar said the Prime Minister had indicated the need for a comprehensive strategy to face challenges with regard to the cost of living.
“Many economic indicators have suggested that next year would be more challenging due to unforeseen risks, in particular the fear of a global economic slowdown and inflation rate spike.
“Budget 2023 will be returned or rather recalibrated to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“I believe the new Budget 2023, to be tabled by the unity government, will look into factors of employment as well,” he added.
On the retrenchment problem that might arise due to the global economic slowdown, Sivakumar said his ministry would work with employers’ associations and trade unions to find solutions that would not affect workers too much.
The Batu Gajah MP also said he had identified a few areas that he would like to focus on, citing, among others, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), talent management and development, as well as social protection.
