The government will review the minimum wage implementation mechanism for the private sector to minimise the dependence on foreign workers, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said.
The move was in line with the government's objective to achieve a high-income economic model which would enable workers to earn a reasonable amount of salary and help them overcome poverty.
"The salary in a lot of sectors, including the manufacturing sector, is still very low.
"We don't know whether this is the one driving the locals away from these sectors," he told reporters after delivering his New Year 2010 message to the ministry's staff here.
He added that the ministry would discuss the matter further with the related agencies.
Meanwhile, Subramaniam said the study on the salary scheme for hotel workers and security guards had been completed and would be announced soon.
A study had also been carried out on the salary scheme in the electronics and textile sectors and would take six to eight months before a decision could be made.
Meanwhile, asked on the nearly 40,000 Indian citizens who went "missing" in Malaysia after their tourist visas expired, Subramaniam said stern action should be taken against those who employed them.
"If we do this, and show them that the government is serious about this, then the message might reach to them and people will feel more apprehensive about hiring illegal immigrants.
"Once these illegal immigrants are not able to find jobs in this country, they will leave," he said.
He said it was not easy for the government to go around identifying each and every person who overstayed.
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