Textile Industry Faces Critical Labour Shortage, Says MTMA

By Sharifah Pirdaus Syed Ali KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- The textile industry is facing a critical labour shortage which could affect investment flows into the industry if the issue is not addressed, says The Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association (MTMA). President Tan Thian Poh said the need for labour is more urgent now as the industry's revenue is expected to grow by at least 30 per cent once the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is enforced. "There are about 10,000 firms in the industry with a workforce of close to 100,000. "If the TPPA is implemented, the industry needs to build its capacity over the next three years, requiring an additional 50,000 workers, and the shortage can create uncertainties in the market and hold back investments," he said. Tan was speaking to Bernama and TV3 on the sidelines of a three-day seminar themed 'Unboxing TPPA for Business Strategy for the Textile and Apparel Industry' organised by the MTMA here Monday. He said the association had had several talks with related ministries on the issue and hoped the government would give the industry a special approval or to fast track the application process for hiring foreign workers. Tan said at present, the ratio between foreign and local workers in the industry is 60:40 with the foreigners taking up lower-ranked jobs. Meanwhile, Tan said MTMA, through its subsidiary the Malaysian Textile and Apparel Centre, is working closely with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to undertake a high-value added textile project related to innovation, complex product development and automation. The project, which aims to increase work efficiency and production by 50 per cent, would not cause worker layoffs, he said. In 2015, the textile and textile products industry contributed US$3.13 billion (RM13.2 billion) or 1.7 per cent to Malaysia's total exports. (US$1=RM4.20) The US remains the leading export market for the industry, accounting for 18.3 per cent of the industry's total exports, highlighting how the industry will benefit from the TPPA, said Tan. -- BERNAMA