KUALA LUMPUR: All construction companies are reminded not to be "selective" and to prioritise local skilled labour when hiring workers in the sector, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the government will incur long-term losses if the construction sector continues to rely on foreign workers.
"Housing developers, contractors, and sub-contractors should not be selective in hiring workers in the construction sector.
"Yes, the cost might be lower if foreign workers are hired, but in the long term, the cost borne by the country and the cost to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) will be detrimental. Therefore, in this context, I believe that the proactive measures taken by ABM and CIDB Technologies should receive support from the government," he said.
He said this when speaking at the launch of the slogan "CIDB Peneraju TVET Pembinaan" in conjunction with the 2024 Graduation Ceremony of the Malaysian Construction Academy (ABM) & CIDB Technologies on Tuesday (Aug 6).
Also present were Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad and Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) chairman Yusof Abd Wahab.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council chairman, said the government also wants the construction sector in the country to be fully driven by local skilled labour.
The Deputy Prime Minister said he was very concerned about issues related to TVET because this year alone, about 60,000 engineers are needed but the demand cannot be met, especially for skilled jobs where there is a significant gap.
"For that, I am very grateful to the 12 fellow ministers with 12 ministries that have TVET programmes, and among the most active TVET programmes is from the Works Ministry under CIDB," he said.
He said that with the coordination measures taken, the National TVET Council now has its own secretariat, placed under the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. - Bernama
