IBS CAN REDUCE 50 PCT USE OF FOREIGN WORKERS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The number of foreign workers in the
construction sector can be reduced by 50 percent once the Industrialised
Building System (IBS) is fully employed in the sector in 2010, says Works
Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed.

Todate, there are 320,000 foreign workers registered with the sector.

"The government is projecting a minimum 50 percent reduction in the
dependency of foreign workers once all the government projects have adopted a
100 percent use of the IBS materials in 2010," he told reporters after launching
a national convention at the Construction and Industrial Development Board
(CIDB)'s convention centre here Thursday.

He said the government's current policy made it compulsory for 70 percent
use of IBS materials in all government projects and this is expected to be
increased to 100 percent next year.

Mohd Zin said the reduction of foreign labour was in line with the target
set under the IBS Roadmap 2003-2010 which forms part of the direction set for
the construction industry.

He said the use of IBS technology and materials will help the industry
become more competitive and raise its expertise level not only within the
country but also at the international level.

"We want to bring forth more experts among the local people, especially in
terms of technical expertise and reduce our dependency on foreign labour as
otherwise we will face a shortage in job opportunities for locals," he said.

Mohd Zin said CIDB had allocated RM100 million to train skilled workers
among locals.

The IBS, also known as complete assembly construction, involves the use of
components manufactured at factories, transported and then assembled into a
structure using the minimum amount of workforce.

As of February 28, 320 government projects throughout the country, worth
RM9.43 billion, had been constructed using the IBS technology. (US$1=RM3.59)
-- BERNAMA