Show Proof Of Attempt To Hire Locals, Says Dr S.Subramaniam

KEPALA BATAS, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Factories intending to hire foreign workers must show proof locals are not interested in the jobs before they can do so, said Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam.

"They need to prove to us that they have tried to get local workers but failed to hire them," he told reporters after launching a workers' programme here, today.

He said the employers needed to offer reasonable renumeration packages and other perks to attract local workers.

"If these offers do not seem to be effective in attracting local workers, then we will allow them (the factories) to hire foreign workers," he said.

Dr S.Subramaniam said employers in the electronic and electrical sectors had failed to hire workers although there was demand for their products due to world economy recovering.

He added that the Manpower Department would make the appropirate verification first before allowing factories to hire foreign workers.

When asked about the ministry's training programme for retrenched employees, he said 300 private training institutions had been enlisted to conduct trainings to more than 33,000 retrenched employees.

On the minimum wage issue, he said he expected reasonable renumeration packages in the electronics sector would be implemented a year from now. -- BERNAMA