FOREIGN WORKERS MUST BE TRAINED FOR OPTIMUM CONTRIBUTION

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- A mechanism is needed to ensure the influx
of foreign workers meets the need for quality workers in Malaysia.

This, in turn, would realise Malaysia's aspirations of a developed nation
status with high income by 2020, said Professor Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali.

The head of the National Council of Professors, economy and finance cluster,
said the mechanism could be in the form of programmes offering skills to make
foreign workers more effective and flexible.

"There is a need for specific programmes for various sectors to boost the
quality of workers, in line with local work practices," he said when contacted
by Bernama Wednesday.

Noor Azlan, who is also Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Dean of the
Business Graduates Study Centre, said this when asked to comment on the home
ministry's 6P programmes which includes registration, legalisation, amnesty,
monitoring and deportation.

Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia's Political and International
Studies
lecturer Md Shukri Shuib said the 6P programmes indicated the government's
seriousness in tackling issues pertaining to the influx of aliens.

However, he said the lackadaisical attitude of the enforcement agencies of
the country of origin of the aliens should be seriously viewed because they let
down their guard.

Md Shukri also suggested that a special institution like the Employees
Provident Fund be set up for the foreign workers to record their income.