SERDANG: At least 500 foreign workers are needed at the Selangor Wholesale Market in Seri Kembangan, here.
Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs Association of Malaysia (Ikhlas) president, Datuk Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah said 320 lots were available at the market and each required at least two foreign workers to help the traders with their business.
“We are hoping that the government could help us with this issue, which has been ongoing for sometime,” he told a press conference, here, today.
“Maybe granting blanket approval for at least 500 foreign workers to work here will ensure smooth business operations.”
Ridzuan said the frequent raids conducted by the Immigration Department at the market of late had also caused disruption to business.
Acknowledging that some traders were employing foreigners without proper documentation, Ridzuan said they were left with no choice after their applications were rejected, coupled with complicated procedures.
“Many of the traders here were willing to pay the foreign worker levy, but their applications were rejected time and time again.
“Hence, we are hoping that the government will grant us with blanket approval for at least 500 foreign workers and the process to be managed by a company, since it will be difficult to apply individually.
“We are also hoping to discuss the foreign workers issue with the Home Ministry, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry.
“In fact, we are in the midst of preparing a report on the matter to be presented to the ministries,” he said, adding that Ikhlas was hoping that the meeting could be held by next month.
“We want to make it easier for all; for the traders, the ministries and authorities involved in this matter.”
Ridzuan said he hoped that traders would be given a six month grace period until issues related to foreign workers had been sorted out.
Last month, more than 100 foreigners were detained at the wholesale market during a swoop by the Immigration Department, following reports that it was controlled by foreigners.
The foreigners were detained over various offences, including not having passports and relevant documents.
Also detained were 46 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees card holders.
It was reported that Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman, who was present during the raid, said the influx of foreigners at wholesale markets was a serious problem, and some of them had become the “owners” of certain lots.
Meanwhile, vegetable trader S. Saravanan claimed that the issue had been ongoing for 18 years.
“Previously, the Immigration Department would conduct a raid once every six months, but now it takes place almost every day.
“We are aware that the authorities are just doing their job, but we hope we will be given ample time to find replacement workers.”
Saravanan said he had advertised for local workers, but to no avail.
“Locals are not interested in working at the wholesale market due to long working hours.”
Poultry trader Zaki Abdul Manan said he was hoping that the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department would help traders.
“This situation has been going on for so long. We hope that the authorities could look into this matter and help the traders who are running the business on their own,” he said.