EMPLOYMENT ACT 1955 WILL BE AMENDED TO REDUCE FOREIGN WORKERS

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- The Employment Act 1955 will be amended soon aimed at reducing the country's dependency on foreign workers, said Human Resource Minister Dr S.Subramaniam.

He said the amendment to be tabled in parliament in Dec would give priority
to local workers to meet the country's manpower needs.

"We will require companies wanted to bring in foreign workers to notify us
one month in advance so that we can show them the list of local workers in our
database.

"They have to ensure that attempts had been made to employ locals had
failed and that is why they are hiring foreign workers. We want to ensure it is
based on real demand to avoid over supply," he told reporters here
Thursday.

Subramaniam said the ruling would be applicable to individuals and
companies involved in recruiting foreign workers.

They would also be compelled to register with the ministry so that the
number of foreign workers and types of jobs could be monitored.

He said the ministry would also cooperate with the Ministry of
International Trade and Industry (MITI) on the recruitment of local workers by
factories.

Subramaniam also said the Workmen's Compensation Act 1952 would be amended
to include maids.

"For all other workers, compensation is compulsory. As form maids, it is
presumed that their welfare is automaticallly taken care by the employers. Now
we want to remove the exclusivity and make it compulsory," he added.