KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has called on the government to strengthen enforcement of foreign worker policies, ensuring recruitment is restricted to approved sectors facing genuine labour shortages, particularly dirty, dangerous and difficult (3D) jobs.

MEF Senior Advisor for Government, Media and International Engagement Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said reports of foreign workers in mainstream, customer-facing roles, including cashiers, retail assistants and food service personnel, raise concerns about the enforcement of existing policies.

He said recruitment must be guided by genuine labour market needs, with strict monitoring and action against employers and agents who misuse approvals or breach sectoral restrictions.