SEREMBAN — Malaysians must be given priority for available jobs before employers turn to foreign workers, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said.

He said the policy is in line with the Human Resources Ministry’s primary objective of ensuring employment opportunities are offered to local workers first.

“As the Human Resources Minister, my foremost priority is jobs for Malaysians. Job offers must always go to the locals first. If there are no takers, then yes, we can offer to foreigners, provided the recruitment complies with Malaysia’s laws and regulations,” he told reporters when asked to comment on the proposal to allow legally recognised Rohingya refugees in Malaysia to take up employment.

Ramanan was met after his official visit to the Indian Community Socio-Economic Development Programme (PPSMI) at SJKT Ladang Senawang here today.

He said the ministry would streamline the application process for foreign workers, particularly in the services sector, in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive to expedite the recruitment of foreign labour where required.