Govt may allow refugees to fill labour gaps in 3D sectors
KUALA LUMPUR: The government may allow registered refugees to fill labour shortages in the 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) sectors to reduce Malaysia’s dependence on foreign workers.
The Malaysian government is considering allowing registered refugees to fill labour shortages in "dirty, dangerous and difficult" sectors, such as manufacturing, plantations, agriculture, construction, and services, to reduce the country's reliance on foreign workers. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the proposal could be evaluated using data from approximately 225,000 refugees recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Saifuddin highlighted that the government aims to identify working-age refugees who have passed screening to determine their potential to meet the nation's workforce needs. He emphasized that this approach could help meet economic requirements without resorting to foreign recruitment. The Home Minister explained that five economic sectors currently face labour shortages, including oil palm plantation harvesting and bricklaying.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, foreign workers in these sectors are limited to 10% of the workforce, equating to a maximum of 1.7 million workers over the plan's duration.
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