Mah also assured furniture manufacturers that his ministry is looking at new measures to facilitate adequate supply of rubberwood at competitive pricing. In February, the Home Ministry reportedly suspended the recruitment of foreign workers, only to partially allow hiring of new foreign workers to four sectors including manufacturing in May. To date, furniture manufacturers such as members of KLSFIA said they continue to face labour shortage. They have repeatedly appealed to the government that the sudden policy change in the hiring of foreign workers was bad for business. But data from Malaysian Palm Oil Board and the Sarawak Labour Department reveal only 108,000 workers are employed in the Sarawak plantation industry, comprised of 86,000 foreign workers and 22,000 locals.

Source: New Strait Times November 06, 2016 05:26 UTC