ANN - Monday, Dec 13
Johor Baru (The Star/ANN) - The number of Malaysians working in
Singapore has been on the decline in the past four months, said
Malaysia's labour department.
This is due to the tightening of conditions on the hiring of
foreign workers in Johor which has resulted in Malaysians being
hired to fill up vacant posts.
Department director-general Datuk Sheikh Yahya Sheikh Mohamed
said that there were about 300,000 Malaysians working in the
republic but the numbers had remained stagnant.
It is decreasing now," he said after attending a job placement
programme at Danga City Mall here Saturday (December 11).
Sheikh Yahya said the department was also encouraging companies
to offer competitive salaries to attract Malaysians.
Companies have also started offering better salaries because of
more stringent policies on hiring foreign labour.
We have told them that they have to meet national standards and
not offer remunerations that will only attract cheap foreign
labour," he said.
Sheikh Yahya said this had resulted in better salaries,
especially in Johor.
This is a good sign and next year, we estimate that an
additional 3,000 high income jobs will be available from several
big projects within Iskandar Malaysia," he said.
State Unity, Human Resource, Science, Technology and Innovation
Committee chairman M. Asojan, who launched the event, urged
employers to reduce red tape when hiring workers.
I believe it would be better if employers were more direct and
immediately inform candidates if they have a chance or not," he
said.