21.   Ms Chan said that on one hand the bureau was looking after foreign labour, and on the other hand destroying the employment opportunities of local workers.

22.   Mr Lee doubted whether there was a need for bringing in foreign labour at a time when the economy was on the decline.

23.   Nevertheless, the dependence on foreign labour is no more than a short- term measure to fulfil market needs.

24.   Omar said Malaysia had to hire foreign labour due to shortages in several sectors of the economy during the boom time.

25.   Tan Chong Motor Assemblies Sdn Bhd, which assembles Nissan vehicles, used to have difficulty recruiting assembly line workers so it resorted to foreign labour.

26.   The electricians claimed they were sacked because the company wanted to replace them with cheaper foreign labour.

27.   The participants also suggested that knowledge of local labour be increased since there is repatriation of foreign labour.

28.   The same principles apply in the use of foreign labour.

29.   The sheer numbers alone magnify the problem of foreign labour left on their own, without work, and without money.

30.   The tight labour market forced thecountry to rely on foreign labour.