Malaysia is strengthening the management of foreign workers while prioritising employment opportunities for its citizens, the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) said Monday.

Human Resources Minister Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan attended a Cabinet Committee Meeting on Foreign Workers chaired by Deputy Prime Minister I Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The meeting focused on ensuring that the recruitment and employment of foreign workers are carried out in an orderly, transparent and integrity-driven manner.

The government stressed that Malaysian workers must continue to receive priority, while the recruitment of foreign labour should be managed strategically based on the actual workforce requirements of specific sectors and industries.

The move is part of the MADANI government’s efforts to strengthen and streamline the foreign worker employment system, making it more efficient, accountable and responsive to labour market needs.

KESUMA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that foreign worker policies are aligned with labour market requirements, compliance with labour laws and workers’ welfare.

The government said the policy seeks to strike a balance between meeting industries’ workforce needs and expanding employment opportunities for Malaysians.