ATTRACT LOCALS FIRST, TO EMPLOY FOREIGNERS

PUTRAJAYA, July 14 (Bernama) -- Unless the Malaysian Rubber Glove
Manufacturers Association (Margma) has improved work conditions and wages to
attract locals, chances of it being allowed to employ foreign workers is zilch.

Labour Department director-general Ismail Abdul Rahim said the department
was adamant in denying the association permission to employ foreign workers --
if the work conditions and wages could not lure the locals.

"I have instructed my officers to find out what measures the manufacturers
took to seek local workers, and what kind of work conditions and wages they
provided so that a decision could be made fast (by the department)," he told
Bernama Tuesday.

Ismail was commenting on a statement by the association Monday, calling
on the authorities to expedite approval for foreigners as the industry was
facing an acute shortage of workers.

He said, although the department had yet to receive a formal application
from the association, he had directed his officers to take proactive action and
contact the association immediately to find out its needs.

Margma president K. M. Lee told Bernama that his members were short of
10,000 workers because of an increase in orders from overseas.

He said, with the ongoing Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, more orders were
expected to pour in from all over the world.

Malaysia is the world's largest rubber glove supplier controlling about 60
per cent of the global market and registering export earnings of RM6.88 billion
last year, added Lee.

Lee said, association members had tried various means through advertisement
and road shows to recruit locals but were unsuccessful.

He admitted that working conditions were rather "hot and humid" due to
the nature of the industry and as such, it might not appeal to the locals.

As for wages, he said the average pay was RM1,000, including overtime, and
week-end and shift allowances.

Ismail said: "If working conditions and wages were poor, it is necessary for
the manufacturers to improve them so as to attract locals, because of the
government's policy of providing employment opportunities to Malaysians
first.

"We will not compromise on this, and implement it strictly." (US$1=RM3.52)
-- BERNAMA