By Ma Chee Seng And Lee Shaw Wei
KUCHING: The state government has been urged to intervene and step up efforts to resolve the long-standing shortage of foreign workers.
Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) secretary-general Datuk Jonathan Chai said that lack of coordination between the relevant authorities might be the reason why Indonesia is imposing a temporary ban on its people from working in Malaysia.
“I don’t know the reasons or hiccups behind the imposition of the ban by the Indonesian government.
“But the latest move was definitely a blow to our plantation and manufacturing sectors which rely so much on foreign workers to do jobs shunned by locals,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
He went on to say that a lot of employers are having problems getting permits for their foreign workers renewed.
“The immigration and labour departments will have to look into it and have better coordination in dealing with the issue,” he said.
He stressed that ample supply of workers is a key factor to revive our economy.
“The industries, especially the plantation sector will be stagnant and suffer a blow due to our inability to get workers from Indonesia.
“Actually, we have urged the state government to allow employers more options by allowing them to choose workers from different countries,” he said.
He went on to say that Malaysia should explore other countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan or Myanmar to ensure sufficient supply of workers.
“Workers from countries like Bangladesh are eager to work here, but it seems like there are some challenges getting the work permits,” he said.
He added that the majority of the aforementioned ideas have received favourable responses from the state government, but no decision has yet been made public.
“Previously when they announced that there is a recalibration of existing foreign workers there was some confusion among immigration officers.
“Some of them claimed that they don’t have direct information from Putrajaya but we know very well that they got the recalibration of the foreign workers,” he said.
He expressed his hope that they (immigration officers and their headquarters) can synchronise and have better coordination between the approving authorities.
“A one-stop centre involving all relevant government agencies should be set up to process work permits for foreign workers,” said Chai.
