JOHOR BARU: The construction sector is bracing for a surge in manpower demand this year as Johor’s economy continues to grow rapidly, says the Johor Master Builders Association.
Its president Dr Kong Weng Keong said while the state’s development was very much welcomed, it had further strained the manpower crunch faced by the sector since early last year.
“In the past, we were able to take in foreign workers directly, allowing us to secure quality manpower with experience or train them to acquire the right skills for the sector.
“However, this is no longer the case, as we are now unable to recruit foreign workers directly and can only source them through labour subcontractors.
“As a result, we have had to settle for whatever manpower is available, including those with no prior experience in construction work. It also makes little sense for companies to invest in training them as they tend to move from one project to another,” he added.
Kong said this had not only led to an increase in construction costs but could also slow down the construction process and affect the quality of workmanship.
“We really hope the Federal Government will act quickly to address the matter before it gets out of control,” he said.
Kong stressed that the matter needed to be dealt with immediately to ensure Johor maintains its momentum as the country’s top investment destination.
“Johor attracted over RM90bil in committed investments as of the third quarter of last year alone and this is an impressive performance that we hope to maintain.
“The investments have also boosted the construction sector as more companies, including foreign firms, expand and build their facilities in Johor.
“It is encouraging, but to support this growth, we need more skilled foreign workers to keep up with demand,” he said.
The Star had previously reported that construction firms in Johor have recorded strong growth in recent years as the state attracts more investors following developments such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.
