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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed the authorities to expedite the processing of 15,000 pending applications for the recruitment of foreign workers in an effort to ease labour shortages affecting several key sectors of the country’s economy.
The directive was announced on Wednesday by government spokesperson and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil at a press conference following the weekly Cabinet meeting.
Fahmi said the Prime Minister had instructed the Ministry of Human Resources to accelerate the approval process for the outstanding applications to help industries facing acute manpower shortages.
“The Prime Minister has directed the ministry to expedite the processing of the pending applications so that workforce requirements in critical sectors can be met without unnecessary delays,” Fahmi said.
He noted that the move is intended to support businesses struggling with labour shortages, improve productivity and ensure smoother economic activities across the country.
Although the government did not specify which sectors would receive the workers, Malaysia has long relied on foreign labour in industries such as manufacturing, construction, plantations, agriculture, hospitality and food services.
The latest directive follows concerns raised by employers over delays in recruiting overseas workers, which they say have affected business operations and economic recovery.
Earlier, on July 24, Prime Minister Anwar had given the relevant ministries and government agencies one month to resolve the shortage of foreign workers in the Indian Muslim restaurant sector, where operators have repeatedly complained of severe manpower shortages.
Anwar said the government recognises the difficulties faced by restaurant owners and other employers but stressed that the recruitment of foreign workers must be carried out in an orderly, transparent and lawful manner.
He also emphasised that all recruitment processes must comply with existing immigration regulations, labour laws and government policies to prevent abuse and ensure the protection of workers’ rights.
Malaysia employs millions of documented foreign workers, many of them from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, India and several other Asian countries. Bangladeshi workers, in particular, make up a significant share of the workforce in the manufacturing, construction and plantation sectors.
Industry groups have repeatedly urged the government to speed up recruitment approvals, arguing that persistent labour shortages have constrained production, delayed projects and increased operating costs.
The government’s latest move is expected to provide relief to employers while supporting Malaysia’s broader economic growth by ensuring businesses have access to the workforce needed to sustain operations.