PETROL STATIONS, HYPERMARKETS TOLD TO REDUCE FOREIGN WORKERS

JOHOR BAHARU (Malaysia), Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The Domestic Trade and
Consumer Affairs Ministry wants petrol stations and hypermarkets to reduce the number of foreign workers in their employment so as to lessen the country's dependence on foreign labour.

Its minister Shahrir Abdul Samad said the jobs at petrol stations and
hypermarkets could be done by locals as these jobs were not regarded as dangerous, dirty or difficult.

"The ministry would like to stress that petrol stations and hypermarkets,
which are mostly foreign-owned, should not increase the intake of foreign
workers," he said in this southern city Sunday.

Shahrir said his ministry understood that some of the foreign workers were
under contract but the petrol stations and hypermarkets should find ways to end
the contracts.

He said based on last year's statistics, there were about 7,000 foreign
workers hired by petrol stations and another 3,997 by the
hypermarkets.

"I believe our own people can do the jobs, so we don't need the services of
foreigners," he added.

Meanwhile, Shahrir also hit out at some government-linked companies (GLCs),
including Johor Corporation and Uda, for trying to make huge profits by charging
traders high rentals for the lots at the Ramadan bazaars.

"It is not proper for such big companies to take advantage of small traders
who are facing a heavier burden now due to the price hike of goods.

"I don't know about other places, but in Johor Baharu, I have received
reports that the rentals for the lots could start from RM15,000 and increase to
RM40,000 for each within a few days."

He said the GLCs' action was against the government's aim of encouraging
people to go into business to increase their income.

"I am disappointed with this. With such high rentals, surely the traders
cannot earn much, while the consumers will have to pay much more for the goods
as the traders have to offset the high rentals," he said.
-- BERNAMA