MALAYSIA'S DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN WORKERS DOWN TO EMPLOYERS

TANJUNG MALIM (Malaysia), Feb 19 (Bernama) -- Employers will determine
whether Malaysia will continue to be dependent on foreign workers to support the
economic sectors.

Human Resource Minister S Subramaniam said the issue caused by the
abundance of foreign workers would not arise if employers were willing to employ
local workers.

"The government is caught in the middle. We want to reduce foreign workers
but there are sectors which need them," he told reporters after visiting Sultan
Idris University of Education ( Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris - UPSI) here
Thursday.

He said the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers and Illegal Immigrants
chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin would discuss the
issue and identify measures to reduce dependence on foreign workers.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein Wednesday said he was
shocked by the abundance of foreigners in the country.

Subramaniam said the ministry would study a proposal by the National Union
of Bank Employees (Nube) to amend the Employment Act 1955 to increase maternity
leave from 60 to 90 days in line with other Asean countries.

The Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers and Illegal Immigrants would also
discuss a proposal to allow foreigners with refugee status to be employed.

-- BERNAMA



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