C
Cao Cao
Guest
Sunday December 12, 2010
Fewer Malaysians working in Singapore now
JOHOR BARU: The number of Malaysians working in Singapore has been on the decline in the past four months, said the Labour Department. This is due to the tightening of conditions on the hiring of foreign workers in Johor which has resulted in Malaysians being hired to fill up vacant posts.
Department director-general Datuk Sheikh Yahya Sheikh Mohamed said that there were about 300,000 Malaysians working in the republic but the numbers had remained stagnant. “It is decreasing now,” he said after attending a job placement programme at Danga City Mall here yesterday.
Sheikh Yahya said the department was also encouraging companies to offer competitive salaries to attract Malaysians. “Companies have also started offering better salaries because of more stringent policies on hiring foreign labour. “We have told them that they have to meet national standards and not offer remunerations that will only attract cheap foreign labour,” he said.
Sheikh Yahya said this had resulted in better salaries, especially in Johor. “This is a good sign and next year, we estimate that an additional 3,000 high income jobs will be available from several big projects within Iskandar Malaysia,” he said.
State Unity, Human Resource, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman M. Asojan, who launched the event, urged employers to reduce red tape when hiring workers. “I believe it would be better if employers were more direct and immediately inform candidates if they have a chance or not,” he said.
