Solve manpower shortage now, we are losing billions, bosses tell Putrajaya

SHAH ALAM - Bosses say they are losing billions due to manpower shortage and have urged Putrajaya to act swiftly to address the problem.

Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) President Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the impact can be felt in all sectors.

“Companies are losing billions of ringgit because of the delays and as businesses we cannot understand the reason for this situation.

“There seems to be so many internal obstacles that businesses cannot comprehend. We hope the government will resolve all the issues without further delay,” he said in a statement.

Syed Hussain further expressed the association's support over concerns raised by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) President Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai on recruiting of new foreign workers.

"Employers need quick solutions. MEF had on many occasions proposed short term measures through utilising UNHCR card holders, simplifying the procedures for recalibration of illegal immigrants and other sources of available labour to address these issue," he said.

Syed Hussain further said Malaysia stands to benefit significantly from the current high commodity prices and the increasing demand for manufactured goods, travel and tourism.

“But MEF is concerned that our industries may not be able to fully capitalise on the current high demand for our commodities, manufactured goods and services arising due to the difficult business environment arising from shortage of workers, especially foreign workers,” he said.