KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 – Players in the scrap metal recycling industry are hopeful that employing foreign workers in the industry will be possible soon following an announcement on Monday by Human Resources Minister V.Sivakumar that the government will give due consideration to the problems faced by the industry.
In a statement here today, Muthappan, secretary general of Malaysian Indian Metal Traders And Recyclers Association (MIMTA), said the minister’s announcement had given the industry new hope.
The scrap metal recycling industry has been facing a huge challenge with no approval given yet to the sector for employing foreign workers.
“The government has given opportunity to employ foreign workers in many sectors including restaurants. But metal recycling shops have not been allowed to hire foreign workers for years. Many are close to closing down their operations,” Muthappan said.
On Monday, members of MIMTA had met up with the minister to discuss a way out for the industry.
Meanwhile, another player in the industry told Weekly Echo, that the freeze on foreign employees for the sector has been on for about 10 years.
“Our company had also prepared the working quarters for potential foreign employees but no approval has been given yet for employing the employees. It has been an uphill task as Malaysians generally do not want to do the job, so companies are in dire straits.”
— WE