Its Secretary-General N Gopal Krishnam in pushing for the RCI, said members of the public were still in the dark as to the impact this influx of foreign workers would have on society.

“One party is saying one thing, while another is saying something different but no one is addressing the issues that we really want and need to know.

“That’s why MTUC is urging for an RCI that can conduct a full study and investigation over issues such as the number of migrant workers currently in the country, and how many of them are here working illegally, or the real reason we need them in the first place,” he told FMT.

Civil society group Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit) meanwhile called for Putrajaya to reconsider its plan, pointing out that Malaysia had a bad record when it came to its treatment of foreign workers, many of whom were victims of human trafficking rings.

In a statement, the group also questioned the need to bring in more foreign workers into the country, given the current economic situation that many have speculated will result in greater unemployment among Malaysians.

“Unemployment will rise as employers will look into reducing expenditure and maximising profits.

“Hence, Jerit calls for the government to focus instead, on putting an end to all policies that would only result in the oppression of all employees including migrant workers.”

The government, it added, should also look into legalising all undocumented migrant workers at a minimal cost and ensuring employers pay them minimum wages rather than exploit them further.