Malaysian govt. approves 45,000 foreign worker slots for Indian business community

Kuala Lumpur, Feb 28 (ANI): The Malaysian government has approved the intake of 45,000 foreign workers for the Indian business community.

These foreigners would reportedly be placed in 13 sectors, including restaurants, provision shops, goldsmiths and textile shops.

The Star quoted Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam as saying that the decision was taken after considering the plight of businessmen in these sectors, which was raised in a memorandum submitted by the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) to the Prime Minister.

Subramaniam, who was present during the inauguration of the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas) building yesterday, also said that a task force in his ministry would determine the number of foreign workers that could be provided for the various sectors.

The building was inaugurated by former Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) President S. Samy Vellu in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Dr Subramaniam said that to prevent abuse, MAICCI would co-ordinate in the recruitment process. He further advised MAICCI to consider training local workers, saying that the business sector cannot continue to depend on workers from India. (ANI)