MTUC CALLS FOR FREEZE IN INTAKE OF FOREIGN LABOUR

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia), Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Trades
Union Congress (MTUC)on Wednesday called on the government to immediately impose
a freeze on the recruitment of foreign workers in order to sort out the issue of
1.3 million foreigners who are now employed in unapproved sectors.

Its vice-president, A. Balasubramaniam said the government should look into
the issue seriously it had a huge impact on the locals.

"Our fear is that since cheap foreign labour is in abundance, the locals
would be sidelined as employers would prefer the foreigners," he said.

He added that the Human Resources Ministry should take the lead in convening
a meeting to seek assistance and ideas from the stakeholders to find ways and
means to overcome the problem.

Balasubranamiam was commenting on the announcement by Home Minister
Hishammuddin Hussein on Tuesday that the recent registration exercise
codenamed 6P programme to register, legalise, deport, supervise and provide
amnesty and proper enforcement for foreign workers had revealed that there were
1.3 million workers being employed in unapproved sectors.

The unapproved sectors are car workshops, fast food outlets, restaurants and
food stalls.

Balasubramaniam said the government should also step up enforcement to weed
out illegal workers.
-- BERNAMA