Anwar open to easing foreign worker rules for sectors facing shortages, warns against exploitation

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is prepared to consider easing foreign worker approval requirements for sectors facing genuine manpower shortages, particularly the plantation sector.

Speaking at the 14th Forum Ilmuwan Malaysia Madani in Kuala Lumpur last night, Anwar said the proposal followed requests from industry players struggling to recruit workers for specific tasks, such as harvesting oil palm fruit.

He said approvals could be considered for such tasks, provided employers committed to reducing their reliance on foreign labour through mechanisation.

Anwar also said he had instructed the relevant authorities to simplify approval procedures for certain urgent labour needs.

“Plantations are asking for workers. I agree if they are specifically for harvesting, but many plantations also use them for other purposes.

“So, while I agree with the request, I think I will take this up with the relevant ministers.

“If the workers are specifically needed for harvesting, we can approve the request, provided they give an undertaking that they will reduce their dependence on foreign labour through mechanisation,” Anwar said.

He suggested reviewing how foreign workers are deployed within large plantations, including shifting manpower from adequately staffed activities to those facing shortages, which he described as a fairer arrangement.

Anwar also questioned why some plantations, despite substantial profits, had yet to invest meaningfully in automation and mechanisation to reduce their reliance on foreign labour.

He went on to criticise major companies for resisting wage increases despite substantial profits, citing one company that had made RM1 billion but was unwilling to raise monthly pay by just RM20.

Beyond labour shortages, Anwar raised concerns about the treatment of foreign workers, condemning exploitative practices by some employers.

“We bring in foreign workers, but sometimes the treatment is so dehumanising.

“We talk about Madani, social justice and so on, yet look at how some factories house their workers in conditions resembling those of slaves a hundred years ago.

“I cannot accept that,” he said.

Anwar also raised concerns over recruitment syndicates and excessive fees, saying the government was negotiating with individual source countries to reduce costs and protect workers from exploitation.

He stressed that recruitment fees must be reasonable and should not impose an undue financial burden on workers, particularly given the inflated charges imposed by some agents.

“Previously, agents would take workers’ wages and keep their passports. I describe this as modern slavery, and we cannot condone it.

“Although I agree, and I have taken important note of the concerns raised tonight about reviewing certain aspects of foreign worker requirements, including those for specific plantation activities, we must remember that there must be firm action against any form of abuse, including the exploitation of foreign workers.

“They are not our slaves, and excessive actions taken against foreigners are also unjustified,” he said.

The forum, which focused on national resilience in food security amid global uncertainties, was moderated by Anwar and attended by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, SD Guthrie Berhad Group President and CEO Mohd Haris Mohd Arshad, and PNB Research Institute CEO Sarena Che Omar.