This was the request put up by Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) vice-president A K Nathan yesterday, reported The Star.

According to him, of the estimated two million illegal foreign workers in the country, the bulk were in the sectors of manufacturing, agriculture and construction.

Nathan called for less stringent conditions to legalise illegals, saying, “Whilst we don’t encourage foreigners to come in the back door, the process has to be easier.”

He said the recent freeze on foreign labour recruitment would pose a problem in the long run, especially in the construction sector.

“The Malaysian construction industry cannot work without a foreign workforce. Without them, we cannot undertake all the projects.

“We support the move for employers to hire local workers but where can we find them?”

Last week, the government suspended the recruitment of foreign workers, pending a review of the levy and rehiring programme.