Malaysian traders have urged their government to legalise undocumented workers, including Bangladeshis, in the construction sector to revitalise the industry after the movement control order.
According to a report of Free Malaysia Today, former Penang chairman of the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Jerry Chan said that it was better to legalise them as they became gainfully employed and contributing to the economy.
He acknowledged that illegal workers were being hired in the construction industry as well as such sectors as plantations and small and medium enterprises.
‘Illegals are being hired, not only in construction but also in plantations and SMEs. That cannot be denied.
‘However, everyone needs to spring clean their industry,’ he told FMT, referring to Putrajaya’s move to nab undocumented migrants in areas under lockdown in Kuala Lumpur.
Chan said that the crackdown would worsen the shortage of labour among construction companies ‘which have already lost two months (because of MCO)’.
He said these companies needed foreign workers as Malaysians were not keen to work in the sector unless they were paid higher wages ‘but it may cause the prices of properties to go up’.
He said legalising construction workers who did not pose any risk would ensure that things ‘would
not be too disruptive’ when the time came to revive the industry.
A large number of Bangladeshi workers are working in Malaysian construction sector without formal approval.
Source : https://www.newagebd.net/article/105984/malaysian-traders-for-legalising-undocumented-workers