He acknowledged that there was a shortage of general labourers “but we have to focus on what we already have in the country. First we use workers who have already registered and second, the Rehiring Programme for illegal foreign workers,” he said at a press conference today.

Although the transport projects required huge amounts of manpower, the number of workers in the market currently could meet the needs, he said.

The suspension of intakes of all foreign workers was announced on Friday for the government to ascertain the manpower needs of the Malaysian industry.

Fadillah said industrial employers must furnish proof that they faced a labour shortage.

“Some big contractors say they are facing a shortage of labourers…but we have to verify this by appointing an independent body, so far we have not been able to come up with the number (of foreign workers needed),” he said.

The hiring of foreign workers should be limited to labourers, he said. Malaysians should be given priority for skilled jobs unless there was a shortage in those sectors.

– BERNAMA