Reference is made to the article Construction sector hit by labour shortage as illegal migrants leave that appeared on malaysiakini (Aug 5). The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) views with concern the above article that misrepresents our views as contained in the press release of July 24, 2002.

FMM would like to highlight that our press release issued did not at any point cite that FMM had 'warned the government that a labour shortage caused by expulsion of illegal workers could hit the economy hard'.

On the contrary, FMM's press release clearly stated that we recognised the need for government to manage and resolve the problem of illegal foreign workers. FMM also went on to state that it takes "a serious view of the issue and is against the employment of illegal foreign workers since it affects the security of the local community and nation".

Malaysiakini had also chosen to suggest that FMM had commented that the 'move to repatriate illegal workers is expected to have a significant impact on a number of sectors'. What was not mentioned was that FMM understands from its various meetings with the government that the majority of illegal foreign workers were from the construction and plantation sectors.

The action to expel them would therefore have more severe repercussions on these sectors compared to other sectors that were less dependent on them including the manufacturing sector.

FMM hopes that future press statements from the FMM would not be similarly distorted.


Editor's note: The article Construction sector hit by labour shortage as illegal migrants leave originated from AFP.