Malaysian companies reject orders as labour shortage bites

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian companies from palm oil plantations to semiconductor makers are refusing orders and forgoing billions in sales, hampered by a shortage of more than a million workers that threatens the country’s economic recovery.

Despite lifting a Covid-19 freeze on recruiting foreign workers in February, Malaysia has not seen a significant return of migrant workers because of slow government approvals and protracted negotiations with Indonesia and Bangladesh over worker protection, say industry groups, companies and diplomats.

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