SMEs unhappy with blitz on illegal workers

THE SME Association of Malaysia is unhappy with the new government’s move to continue with the previous government’s policy on foreign labour which started the crackdown on illegal foreign workers immediately upon the expiry of the rehiring programme without consulting stakeholders.

Association president Datuk Michael Kang said the blitz on illegal foreign workers has caused many to stay away from work, adding that raids conducted at factories and business outlets have also affected the smooth running of production lines and businesses, Oriental Daily News reported yesterday.

He pointed out that there were many shortcomings including corruption in the implementation of the undocumented foreign workers rehiring programme by the previous administration.

But the new government chose to only listen to immigra- tion officers on matters concerning illegal foreign workers and launched the “Ops Mega 3.0” crackdown without consulting all stakeholders, he said.

Kang said he received many complaints from entrepreneurs over their foreign workers refusing to come to work to avoid getting hauled up in raids.

This has affected businesses and production particularly in the manufacturing and services industries.

Warning that a sustained crackdown will affect the economy for the second half of the year, he said the resultant increase in production cost will eventually be passed on to the consumer.

“Many enterprises are facing a shortage of labour.

“Today, I have received calls asking me to suggest that the Human Resources Ministry set up a company to source workers, saying operators don’t mind paying a fee for the service.”

Kang said he will seek a meeting between the ministry and SMEs to address the issue.