KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian government wants local workers to replace the hordes of foreign workers at Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur , but traders there say a tough job and low pay await.
The crackdown followed the discovery of Covid-19 infections among some of the foreign labour, many of whom work in Malaysia without proper documentation. Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers Association president Wong Keng Fatt said he needed to hire four locals to unload and carry the vegetables. Residential areas around the wholesale market and Pusat Bandar Utara nearby came under"enhanced MCO" from April 20 to May 3 - total lockdown to allow for health workers to conduct tests on all residents and disinfection work.
Kuala Lumpur Fruits Wholesalers Association president NM Chin said some Malaysians were afraid to work there due to the enhanced MCO.Kuala Lumpur Hoi Seong Fish Wholesaler Association is urging the government to create a proper channel to legalise foreign workers at the market due to this.