KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 20): The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma) hopes the government will extend and expand the reinvestment allowance (RA) for industry players in tomorrow's Budget 2017 announcement. The association also wants the government to relax restrictions and move quickly on applications and approvals for foreign workers, as the manufacturing industry still requires foreign labour in jobs and functions that the locals do not prefer. Margma president Denis Low Jau Foo said the top three challenges faced by the rubber glove industry are energy, manpower and water supply. “Automation has been crucial in accelerating production and facilitating the expansion and technological advancement of the rubber glove industry. Last year, some 65,000 workers were employed in the rubber glove industry, of which 42,000 were foreign workers.

Source: The Edge Markets October 20, 2016 07:52 UTC