PUTRAJAYA has given the green light for 200,000 migrant workers to fill up vacancies in “unpopular sectors” in the country.

Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan said their work applications were approved as the vacancies have been left vacant for more than a year.

The 200,000 migrant workers will be brought in to fill up the vacancies, he added.

“Those who continue to bring up this issue must understand that the plantation sector alone recorded RM20 billion in losses last year,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Saravanan said the federal government received requests to hire about 500,000 migrant workers, but will approve only some of them.

Malaysia has been struggling with labour shortage since it reopened its economy, especially for 3D (dirty, dangerous, and difficult) jobs.

The country sources most of its foreign workers from Bangladesh and Indonesia.

On the cancellation of the first batch of 164 Indonesian workers scheduled to arrive on March 31, Saravanan said confusion arose regarding their work permits.

“This matter is being processed on our side. When we issue visas to enter Malaysia, it does not mean that they can work straight away.

“They must undergo mandatory health screening and only once they pass will they receive a stamp of approval (to work).

“But an Indonesian agency said it was confusing and requested the Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia rectify the matter.”

MalaysiaKini quoted Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia Hermono as saying that the confusion is likely due to the “single-entry visas” issued to workers by the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta. These visas are stamped as “not permitted to work”.

The Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency has reportedly banned Sime Darby Plantations Bhd employees from departing Lombok due to documentation concerns. – June 3, 2022.