POLICY ON WORK PERMITS

Mr M.K.A. Jabbar asked the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour if he will state the Labour Ministry's policy on the issue of work permits.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour (Mr Fong Sip Chee) (for the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry's policy on work permits is to enable employers to import skilled, semiskilled and unskilled workers in support of our economic development. The policy has to ensure that the manpower needs of our industries are met and that any untoward social problems are not created.

The Ministry currently implements seven work permit schemes. They are designed to cater for the different needs of each sector of our economy. The Work Permit Department has published guidelines on some of these schemes. I will ask the Department to send these publications to the Member for Radin Mas and other Members of this House for their information.