“It (the number of applications) is low considering that the government has set a 7,500 quota (for foreign workers),” he said, adding that these applications were mainly for three service sub-sectors, namely textile retailing, hairdressing and goldsmithing.

Sivakumar said this when replying to points raised about issues under his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat.

He added that another 286 applications had been processed, with 121 approved and 165 rejected. The remaining 43 were still being vetted.

Sivakumar said of the 165 rejected applications, 107 were rejected due to violations of the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act 446).

“Employers who have received approval from JTKSM need to attend an interview session at the ministry’s one-stop centre for the next phase of quota approval.”

Earlier today, V Ganabatirau (PH-Klang) urged the government to review the “stringent” conditions imposed on the hiring of foreign workers for barbershops, textile stores and goldsmiths.

He told the Dewan Rakyat that many businesses struggled to fulfil the conditions despite the government’s move to reopen the intake of 7,500 foreign workers for the three sectors.