Allow Indian workers into country, says MAICCI

PETALING JAYA: Businesses should be allowed to recruit foreign workers according to their needs, said the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI).

Its president Tan Sri Dr K. Kenneth Eswaran said its management council had tabled a request for the Government to consider the recruitment of foreign workers, particularly from India, for industries such as textiles, Indian and Indian Muslim restaurants, jewellers and other traditionally Indian businesses.

“At present, the Government has limited source countries for particular trades.

“However, MAICCI thinks that the respective businesses should be allowed to recruit foreign workers as per their requirement and needs,” he said in a statement.

He said the existing Indian foreign workers were also facing difficulties in replacing and extending their permits due to this restriction on source countries.

“Some form of flexibility should be given to these businesses so that their economic activities are not affected,” he said.

MAICCI, which held its 18th Management Council Meeting for its 2015-2018 term on Friday, elected Datuk S.S.T. Muniandy as the new secretary-general.

Dr Eswaran added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak demonstrated his “People First” manifesto during the recent launch of the People’s Housing Programme Ampar Tenang, Dengkil.

“We fully support his leadership for all his services and contributions to the Indian community, particularly the recent introduction of the Malaysian Indian Blueprint,” he said.