​The government’s decision to prioritise the employment of locals by requiring employers to advertise for job vacancies in MYFutureJobs portal before hiring new expatriates or foreign workers is a positive step to resolve unemployment issues especially for the fresh graduates.

MEF President Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman J.P said MEF supports the move to give locals the priority as many local graduates are unemployed and without jobs. 

“Employers intending to hire expatriates or foreign workers should first consider offering the vacancies to locals because this would ensure that Malaysians are given priority in employment opportunities,” said Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain. 

“Employers must justify their requirement for new expatriates or foreign workers based on skills that are needed.” 

Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain was responding to the recent statement of Human Resources Minister YB Datuk M. Saravanan that effective 1 Nov 2020, applications for foreign workers or expatriates will only be considered if no Malaysians are suitable for the positions. 

It is understood that employers who wish to hire foreign workers through the rehiring programme, as well as the recruitment of expatriates, are required to advertise the vacancies first on the national employment portal, MYFutureJobs (www.myfuturejobs.gov.my). 

The advertisement on vacancies at MYFutureJobs should not be less than 14 days for the rehiring programme of foreign workers in the country and 30 days for the application of expatriates. This will be followed by an interview with the candidates by representatives of employers and SOCSO.     

Employers are also required to register and apply through the Integrated Foreign Workers Management System (ePPAX) as a condition of compliance with labour laws for the employment of non-citizen workers. 

“As employers, where we can we must try to hire locals. This should be the future way forward,” said Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain.

For further information, contact the MEF Secretariat at 03-7955-7778 or fax 03-7955-9008 or email mef-hq@mef.org.my. 

31 OCTOBER 2020