KUALA LUMPUR — The government will completely restructure the management of foreign workers in Malaysia to ensure the system is more coordinated, efficient, and closely aligned with actual industry needs.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the overhaul following a special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers, which he chaired at Parliament. A key decision from the session includes transferring the supervision of the One Stop Centre for Foreign Worker Management directly to the Human Resources Ministry.
Streamlining Operations and Protecting Local Jobs
The administrative shift is designed to enhance institutional integrity while balancing commercial demands with national security. According to Ahmad Zahid, the restructuring will allow the government to evaluate foreign labour requirements through a highly strategic lens, moving away from generalized quotas to target the precise shortages faced by employers.
| Key Reform Area | Strategic Implementation Strategy |
| Institutional Oversight | One Stop Centre moved to the Human Resources Ministry. |
| Market Alignment | Foreign labour quotas calculated on verified industry demand. |
| National Priority | Protection of local employment opportunities and national security. |
Boosting Automation and Local Talent
While the government seeks to support businesses, the broader economic roadmap focuses heavily on reducing Malaysia’s long-term reliance on external labor. The state plans to achieve this by actively increasing local workforce participation and scaling up technical training programs to build a highly skilled domestic workforce.
Furthermore, the administration will accelerate the transition of traditional industries toward automation and digital technology. Ahmad Zahid emphasized that every policy modification executed by the cabinet will consistently prioritize national interests and the overall economic wellbeing of Malaysian citizens.
