{
  "id": 15996627,
  "title": "MEF calls for stricter enforcement of foreign worker approvals, prioritising Malaysian workers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/mef-calls-for-stricter-enforcement-of-foreign-worker-approvals",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T03:40:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1561188/mef-calls-stricter-enforcement-foreign-worker-approvals-prioritising"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) is urging the government to enforce stricter foreign worker policies, with a focus on protecting Malaysian workers. MEF Senior Advisor Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman stated that the current policies are being misused, allowing foreign workers to take on roles that should be reserved for Malaysians, particularly in dirty, dangerous and difficult (3D) jobs. This misuse raises concerns about the proper enforcement of existing policies.\n\nSyed Hussain emphasized that foreign workers should only be recruited when there is a genuine shortage of labour in certain sectors, and that strict monitoring is required to prevent employers and recruitment agents from abusing the system. He called for clear obligations and consequences for non-compliance, including stronger compliance checks, penalties for breaches, and better coordination between government agencies.\n\nThe MEF also stressed that Malaysians should be given priority for available jobs, while employers are encouraged to offer competitive wages, improved working conditions, career progression opportunities, and skills development to attract local workers. However, Syed Hussain acknowledged that foreign workers are still needed for certain 3D jobs that are difficult to fill with Malaysian labor, despite efforts to recruit locally.\n\nHe warned that excessive reliance on imported labour can create vulnerabilities in the labour market, leading to disruptions, rising recruitment costs, and weakened productivity. Malaysia must focus on developing local talent, increasing workforce participation, and building a more skilled workforce to ensure a sustainable and balanced labour market.\n\nThe MEF remains committed to working with the government, employers, and other stakeholders to promote a transparent and sustainable labour market that supports Malaysian employment opportunities while allowing responsible employers to remain competitive.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has called on the government to strengthen enforcement of foreign worker policies, ensuring recruitment is restricted to approved sectors facing genuine labour shortages, particularly dirty, dangerous and difficult (3D) jobs.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}