Malaysia has repeatedly said it is trying to reduce its dependency on foreign workers and move up the global value chain. Last year’s levy hike was intended to prompt greater automation, raise productivity and efficiencies, and reduce wage suppression among the locals, experts say. However, the foreign worker tally could be nearer seven million, including five without work permits, if indeed 70% of foreign workers in Malaysia are undocumented (illegal) workers, as claimed by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC). At the end of the day, there are undesirable jobs that are heavily reliant on low and unskilled foreign labour and will remain that way. ', and why we have to wean off this addiction to and dependence on foreign workers.

Source: The Edge Markets January 14, 2017 06:00 UTC