JOHOR BARU: The government is expected to address the foreign worker shortage issue faced by various sectors in Budget 2022 which will be tabled on Friday (Oct 29).

       Deputy Finance Minister I Mohd Shahar Abdullah (pic) said many sectors had voiced concerns over the lack of workers to the ministry.

       "Budget 2022 is a short-term step taken by the government as a continuation of Budget 2021 and the eight stimulus economic packages announced before.

       "We know that those in sectors such as tourism, hotels and even small and medium entrepreneurs are facing a worker shortage," said Mohd Shahar, who is on a two-day working visit to the state here on Sunday (Oct 24).

       He added that the government hopes that Budget 2022 will to help stabilise the unemployment rate in the country.

       "The government, through Budget 2022, will give focus on the 3R strategies, which is recovery, resilience and reform, as we move to on to a post-Covid-19 period," he added.

       On Singapore's decision to upgrade Malaysia to Category III from Category IV, Mohd Shahar described it as a positive signal to reopen the border.

       "The ministry hopes that the discussion to reopen the border accelerates as soon as possible because it is important in improving the economy," he added.

       On Saturday (Oct 23), Singapore upgraded Malaysia to Category III from Category IV as part of its regular review of the Covid-19 situation.

       This means all travellers from Malaysia would serve a 10-day stay-home notice at their declared place of residence or accommodation in Singapore from Oct 27, 2021.