​PETALING JAYA: The government’s decision to expand the Labour Recalibration Programme for illegal immigrants to include the restaurant, cargo, wholesale and retail, and cleaning services sub-sectors would help resuscitate the national economy faster.

“The extension of the Labour Recalibration Programme would ensure that businesses in these sub-sectors as well as the critical sectors such as construction, manufacturing and plantations would be able to quickly resuscitate their operations,” said MEF President Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman J.P. today. 

“Though Covid-19 had compelled employers towards increased process automation, mechanisation and digitalisation, the availability of foreign workers is still critical to bringing industries and services sectors fully up to speed. 

“MEF had pleaded with the government to allow the foreign workers as they are still needed to resuscitate and revitalise the economy, especially in the areas that are not able to attract local employees. 

“We thank the government, particularly the Minister of Human Resources YB Datuk Seri M. Saravanan and the Ministry of Human Resources, for listening to our pleas and for their swift positive response.

“For certain, this is good news for employers as the extended recalibration programme would prevent businesses from continuing to suffer huge losses due to labour shortage. 

“At the same time, we urge employers to play a bigger role to educate their employees by creating awareness and providing the necessary support with a view to reduce the number of Covid-19 clusters at the workplace.” 

Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain was commenting on the recent decision of the Joint Committee on the Management of Foreign Workers to extend the Labour Recalibration Programme that was launched last November to regularise the foreign illegals in the country.

Among other facilitations, it is understood that the eligibility for participation in the programme had been extended to:

• illegal immigrants who registered for the Rehiring Programme for Illegal Immigrants and the Comprehensive Settlement Programme for Illegal Immigrants (6P Programme).
• those who did not complete the application process and did not receive a Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) through these programmes.
• illegal immigrants who have absconded from their employers but were not reported by the latter, and those who have genuine and valid travel documents.