Malaysia recalls its workers

Malaysia recalls its workers

Filipinos have been part of the foreign labor force in Kuala
Lumpur, next to Indonesia and Thailand in number.

About 200,000 workers are needed in the manufacturing sector,
150,000 in construction and 20,000 in the services sector.
According to government figures, 1.5 million foreigners work in
Malaysia, one million of them Indonesians.

Malaysia's development is a model for Manila. The economy,
with a strong export sector, has grown handsomely. Tourism is big
business. The country produces rubber goods, lumber, electronics
and oil.

Close relations between Manila and Kuala Lumpur have involved
Malaysia in helping settle the secessionist war in Mindanao. It
is hosting the Philippine-MNLF peace talks sometime this month.
Cooperation has widened to labor, and were hopeful Filipino
skilled workers would soon find their way again to Malaysias
plantations and factories.
-- The Manila Times