JOHOR BARU: Special consideration will be given to foreign investors who want to recruit foreign workers despite plans by the government to reduce their number in the country.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho said the ministry would adopt a flexible stand on foreign workers to facilitate the development of growth corridors in the south and north.

He said employers had to adhere to guidelines but special consideration would be given to foreign investors.

"The ministry does not see any problems arising from the hiring of foreign workers."

He was speaking before a visit to the Iskandar Development Region yesterday with 250 members of the Small-Medium Industries (SMI) Association of Malaysia and SMI Association of Malacca, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kluang, southern Johor and the pro-tem SMI Association of Segamat.

On Jan 17, Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said the ministry was compiling data on foreign workers in each of the sectors to identify which countries they came from. This was with a view to eventually reduce foreign labour in certain sectors and replace them with locals.

He said it was possible the cabinet would either draw up guidelines based on the study or enforce prohibitions to limit foreign workers of certain nationalities to certain sectors.

SMI Association of Malaysia president Chua Tiam Wee said yesterday's visit was the biggest so far by SMIs.

"We are keen on Iskandar and can contribute but we need more details, especially the latest information on development."

Source: http://www.idrjohor.com/news/investors-will-get-workers/