Digi business marketing and operations head Steven Soon (second from left) delivering his speech as (from left) Johor South SME Association advisor Teh Kee Sin, RHB Bank Bhd commercial banking head Azlina Safian and PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd chief operating officer P’ng Tean Hau look on duri...
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Unofficial figures show that some 300,000 Malaysians commute daily from Johor to Singapore to work. — FilepicJOHOR BARU: The state government is looking at the positive angle when it comes to the high number of Malaysians, including Johoreans, working in Singapore.Johor education, human resour...
An SME expo showcasing the productsKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's small business sector experienced positive business conditions in 2018 and confidence in business and economic growth is at its highest point since 2012, according to new survey data released today by CPA Australia. The findings from CPA A...
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PETALING JAYA: Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng is tabling Budget 2019 in Parliament, the first federal budget by the Pakatan Harapan government.The tabling of the Supply Bill (Budget) 2019 will commence before Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, and will be debated by the Members of Par...
SME Association wants govt to relook rehiring programme for foreign workers
The rehiring programme, unveiled on Feb 15, aims to give an opportunity to illegal foreign workers in Malaysia to apply for valid work permits to meet labour demand in specific sectors after tight screening. - Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar/Files
KUALA LUMPUR: The SME Association hopes the government will look into the rehiring programme for foreign workers without permits by simplifying it to help the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
SME Association of Malaysia national president, Michael Kang Hua Keong, said the move will reduce the cost for SMEs.
"I hope the government will work closely with the business associations and local chambers of commerce to legalise all the illegal workers to help SMEs grow their businesses," he said at the association's Chinese New Year gathering recently.
Also present was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The rehiring programme, which was unveiled on Feb 15, aims to give an opportunity to illegal foreign workers in Malaysia to apply for valid work permits to meet labour demand in specific sectors after tight screening.
It is learnt that the rehiring programme will carry on for the undocumented immigrants from the existing 15 countries of origin and no actions will be taken against compliant employers and workers.
Kang said 2016 will be challenging year for the SMEs as the global economy was facing strong headwinds and the SMEs should be prepared for this.
He said with the full implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement there will be intense competition and SMEs should buck up to compete internationally.
"Free trade is good for the country as it gives the SMEs international market access. We hope the SMEs will upgrade their products and services to be compete on international level," he said