Malaysia Recruits Over 77,000 Foreign Workers in Past Year

Malaysia welcomed 77,807 foreign workers in the past year to meet local labor demands in key sectors like construction, manufacturing, and services. The largest contingent came from Indonesia, accounting for 35,011 individuals or 45% of the total. Nepal followed with 25,026 workers (32.2%), and India with 6,245 (8%).

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From the perspective of employment sectors, the entry of foreign workers during the 2023, 2024, and 2025 periods is focused on the construction, manufacturing, and service sectors in line with the needs of the country's labor market.

Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the influx of foreign workers for 2023, 2024, and 2025 is strategically focused on construction, manufacturing, and service industries, aligning with the nation's labor market needs. He noted that the number of foreign workers admitted last year showed a decrease compared to the preceding year, indicating a potential slowdown in employer recruitment.

Responding to a parliamentary question, Saifuddin also provided figures for 2023, which saw 867,731 foreign workers enter Malaysia. Bangladeshis were the largest group in 2023, with 397,548 (45.8%), followed by Nepalis (134,895 or 15.6%) and Indonesians (122,908 or 14.2%). For 2024, up to the reported period, 356,972 foreign workers had arrived, with Indonesians again leading (124,107 or 34.8%), followed by Indians (78,475 or 22.0%) and Kazakhs (51,362 or 14.4%).

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However, the number of foreign workers brought in last year also differs from the previous year, showing a decrease in the recruitment of these individuals by employers.

The ministry is implementing continuous improvements, including an online quota application system, to enhance the efficiency of the foreign worker recruitment process. This system aims to streamline procedures, requiring employers to make only one physical visit for interviews with the Regulatory Agency, thereby boosting efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.

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Through this method, employers only need to be physically present once for the interview session with the Regulatory Agency, thereby increasing efficiency, transparency, and better service delivery.