In a Berita Harian report on Monday, National Association of Private Employment Agencies Malaysia (Papsma) secretary-general Sukumaran Nair alleged there are more than 500,000 foreign workers in Malaysia who are not legally employed.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Wisma Cuepacs here, Sim said his ministry will take appropriate action if they receive reports on the matter.

“If there is evidence and facts, I request the relevant parties to make an official report so that we can take action,” he said.

“People must give us evidence if they make such claims. We are always open (to receiving evidence).”

The issue of foreign workers being brought to Malaysia without having jobs ready for them was recently highlighted when 171 Bangladeshis were nabbed in Johor while they were marching to a police station to lodge a report against their agents, whom they claimed had failed to secure jobs for them as promised.

Sim said his ministry is focussed on realigning policies to ensure that foreign workers are no longer exploited this way.

He said he would meet home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on Jan 16 to examine new regulations and improve existing legislation surrounding foreign workers.

“Our commitment is to make decisions as quickly as possible regarding policy alignments involving foreign workers in Malaysia.”

Last week, Saifuddin said his meeting with Sim on Jan 16 will also discuss the status of the freeze on the hiring of foreign workers.

In a statement, he said they are expected to give their proposals on the matter to the Cabinet.

On Dec 7, then human resources minister V Sivakumar said the Cabinet had not made any new deliberations on the freeze, which is still in effect.