Kuala lumpur: A total of 434 companies, involving more than 34,000 quotas, have been recommended for approval until July 9 for the recruitment of foreign workers, the Plantation and Commodities Ministry (KPK) said today. Its deputy minister, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, stated that these special approvals aim to address labour shortages and boost national productivity and output.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the government has granted special quota approvals for foreign worker recruitment in the plantation sector on a case-by-case basis to tackle the shortage. Datuk Chan Foong Hin outlined this strategy in response to Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas) during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat. The discussion focused on workforce needs in the plantation sector, with particular attention to oil palm and rubber, and the quotas allocated to address the shortfall.

Chan further detailed that Immigration Department statistics as of June 30 showed there were 258,153 active Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) holders in the plantation sector. He noted, however, that this number is still insufficient, as the industry reported an additional need for 30,000 to 40,000 workers. This shortfall takes into account those who have returned to their home countries after their permits expired.