In view of current global crisis, the Malaysian government may not allow electronics and electrical sectors to hire foreign workers, including Indians.

As the possibility of retrenchments loom large due to economic meltdown worldwide, the Malaysia's electronics and electrical sectors may not be allowed to hire new foreign workers, Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam said.

He said that a committee on foreign workers headed by the ministry's secretary-general would first discuss the matter with representatives from other ministries.

"It must be discussed and streamlined," he said adding, the ministry did not encourage employers to hire foreign workers as vacancies could be filled by locals in sectors experiencing problems.

Malaysia relies heavily on foreign workers from India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal to help out in its construction industry, restaurants, plantations etc.

The minister noted that this was a short-term suggestion and the government would consider cases where companies could face difficulties if they did not hire foreign workers.

Subramaniam added that 28,000 retrenched workers nationwide were registered with the ministry between January and November this year.

"So far, the ministry has assisted 6,000 retrenched workers in getting employment thorough various efforts, such as job carnivals and interviews," he said.

Meanwhile, Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed said the government had identified 406 projects worth more than nine billion ringgit (1 ringit = 13 IRs) that would be implemented under the Industrialised Building System (IBS) to reduce dependency on foreign workers.

Mohamed said "IBS, which uses prefabricated parts for building projects, would be used in all government projects and in about 70 per cent of projects by its agencies".