"We do not want them bringing in 100 foreign workers when our market only needs 50," said minister Datuk S. Subramaniam after opening the two-day Jobs Carnival at the Plaza Angsana here yesterday.
Subramaniam said the ministry had received numerous complaints against these agencies.
"As long as these agencies stick to the principle of bringing in foreigners to fill vacancies that can't be filled with locals, we will not bother them.
"We do not want to jeopardise the economic growth of the country. Neither do we want such agencies creating an artificial supply."
Subramaniam said the ministry had conducted checks on 2,850 employers to date.
Of these, 817, or 29 per cent had committed numerous offences, including failing to register workers and give notice of work commencement to the Manpower Department.
Subramaniam said 18 employers had been charged and fined a total of RM40,030 and two were compounded a total of RM15,000.
On another matter, Subramaniam said the ministry had met with the Malaysian Trades Union Congress recently to discuss ways to increase industrial harmony between workers and employers.
"The MTUC has no major demands but feels that workers' salary should increase in tandem with economic growth and the cost of living," he said.
