Ministry asked to give leeway for hiring of foreign workers

PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has asked the Home Ministry to give leeway to face mask producers to hire more foreign workers to ramp up production in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Speaking to reporters after chairing a special meeting on COVID-19 at Perdana Putra here yesterday, she said the matter will be handled by the Home and Human Resources ministries very soon.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) chairman, explained that before the new coronavirus outbreak, face masks were only used among healthcare personnel but demand skyrocketed followed the spread of COVID-19.

“Face mask producers told us that they need to operate round the clock (three shifts) to ramp up production.

“However, there will be still control on intake of foreign workers because we do not want a surge (of foreign workers) in the country,” she said.

Dr Wan Azizah said steps to supervise supply and pricing of face masks in the market had been taken to prevent purchase in bulk to be brought out of the country.

Directives had also been issued to the state headquarters and branches of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to ensure sellers exercise self-control and do not sell in bulk to customers, she said.

“There are quotas for sale of face masks so that there is adequate supply in the country and to prevent parties buying in bulk to be sent overseas,” he said.

In a related matter, Dr Wan Azizah said Malaysia would not allow foreign ships to dock in the country unless they share important information that is required by the Malaysian authorities.