A total of 238,943 foreign workers have already been approved for a visa with reference by the Immigration Department, and are expected to enter Malaysia soon, reports The Edge Markets, citing a statement from the Ministry of Human Resources. More than 644,379 registered foreign workers had passed the health and safety checks in the source countries, and will also be entering Malaysia, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan added. The minister said that there are 1,244,400 foreign workers so far in the sectors that are allowed to hire and employ them, including the informal sector. This number is expected to rise to over 2.127 million, he noted.

Saravanan said an in-depth study is needed to determine whether further approval for foreign workers is necessary, citing concerns over local employment. Saravanan also pointed out to high migration cost, which is the main constraint for employers and the workers themselves to come to Malaysia to work.