MEF Wants Tougher Action Against Misuse of Foreign Worker Approvals

The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has urged the government to tighten enforcement against employers who misuse foreign worker recruitment approvals, saying Malaysians should be given priority for available jobs.

The call follows concerns over foreign workers reportedly employed as cashiers, retail assistants, service attendants and food service workers, raising questions about whether recruitment rules are being properly enforced. MEF said foreign workers should only be recruited for approved sectors and occupations facing genuine labour shortages.

Employers Told to Recruit and Train Local Workers Before Hiring Foreign Labour

MEF stressed that businesses should make genuine efforts to attract and retain Malaysian workers by offering competitive wages, better working conditions, career progression and skills development. The federation acknowledged that foreign labour remains necessary for dirty, dangerous and difficult jobs, as well as positions that remain difficult to fill despite reasonable recruitment efforts.

To address possible abuse, MEF proposed stricter compliance checks, stronger action against employers and recruitment agents who violate approval conditions, and better information-sharing between government agencies.

It also suggested progressively restricting foreign worker recruitment in selected occupations where local workers are available. However, the federation warned that blanket restrictions could trigger labour shortages, raise operating costs and disrupt essential services.

MEF said Malaysia’s long-term objective should be to strengthen its domestic workforce and productivity rather than simply reduce foreign worker numbers. Better enforcement, it added, must be supported by investment in local talent.

MEF wants tougher enforcement of foreign worker recruitment rules and better opportunities for Malaysians to fill available jobs.