Malaysia has slashed its work permit approvals for foreign workers by almost 70 percent so far this year due to the twin threat of layoffs and recession, local media reported.
In January and February, an average of 250 permits were approved daily compared to 800 last year, following a more stringent vetting process by the authorities, Home Ministry deputy secretary-general Raja Azahar Raja Abdul Manap told the Sunday Star newspaper.
There was a time when up to 2,000 approvals were granted daily, he added.
He attributed the decrease to a more thorough vetting process by the ministry. Those requesting for foreign labour have to prove that they have made the effort to employ locals. "If they can prove it, then they will get the clearance," he said.
Raja Azahar said representatives from the various ministries would visit the employers to make sure that there were jobs available and also check if those requesting for foreign workers provided accommodation.
The ministry approved more than 301,682 foreign workers last year.
Azahar also said the ministry was not extending the work permits of unskilled workers who have been here for three years.
He said his ministry was confident of achieving its target of reducing the number of foreign workers to 1.5 million by 2015.
Malaysia is one of the largest importers of foreign labour in the region and has an estimated 2.2 million foreign workers, who are the mainstay of the plantation and manufacturing sectors.