IBS allows for faster project completion with fewer workers on-site
KUCHING: Industrialised Building System (IBS) can help the construction industry in Sarawak reduce its reliance on foreign workers. IBS is a construction technique whereby components are manufactured in a controlled environment. The controlled environment can be on-site or off-site and depends on the component manufactured or the type of building being constructed. University of Technology Sarawak […]
Indian restaurants breathe easy
These men ask for just the same thing, fairness, and fairness only. This, so far as in my power, they, and all others, shall have. – Abraham Lincoln, 16th American president On Jan 31, and again on April 18, I wrote about the plight of Indian eateries in the state. Many were forced to close […]
Govt urged to resolve shortage of foreign workers
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 […]
Indonesia’s worker ban spells even more trouble for construction sector
KUCHING: The temporary ban of its citizens by the Indonesian government from working in Malaysia is unfortunate news to the construction industry, says James Ha Tung In. Ha, who is chairman of Sarawak Building and Civil Engineering Contractors Association (SBCECA), believed that the freeze would cause the continuation of labour shortage—already acute currently—and affect the […]
Consider manpower from other countries, suggests Soppoa
KUCHING: To address labour shortage, Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (Soppoa) has suggested to the Sarawak government that manpower from India, Timor, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka be roped in. Association chairman Eric Kiu Kwong Seng said this during a courtesy call on Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) […]
Ongoing federal projects need many foreign workers
BINTULU: Many foreign workers are needed for ongoing federal projects nationwide, said Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. In pointing this out, he said the federal government had approved a total of 14,000 applications from foreign workers. He said the matter had been approved as a result of joint negotiations with foreign countries, namely, […]
Sarawak Fishing Vessels Association urges release of 12 foreign crew
BINTULU: Members of Sarawak Fishing Vessels Association (SFVA) held a peaceful protest in front of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) office here, demanding the release of all 12 foreign crew registered with SFVA who were detained last Sunday. According to SFVA secretary Harry Tan Joo Seng, all the foreign fishing crew had letters of […]
No sign of inbound foreign workers yet
KUCHING: The acute shortage of foreign workers faced in Malaysia is unlikely to be solved anytime soon. Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (SOPPOA) chief executive officer Dr Felix Moh Mee Ho said there were many signs that the Indonesian government will continue to restrict its citizens to seek employment in Malaysia. He said neither […]
Businessman discharged by court
SIBU: A businessman heaved a sign of relief when he was discharged by the Sessions Court yesterday from an offence of employing foreign workers illegally. Lim Kiong Chai, 60, was earlier indicted under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63, punishable under Section 55B (1) of the same Act, which provides a minimum fine of […]
Foreign labour – Agencies and Politicians out of sync
While Sarawak maintains its immigration control as part of the state safety net, the interplay between state and federal laws engenders contradictions that may be detrimental to the people and to society. — Dr Linda Alfarero Lumayag, senior lecturer at UNIMAS Tell me, are we really serious about wanting to speed up the state’s economic […]
