Assessing the critical factors contributing to the shortage of local unskilled labour in Malaysia's construction industry from the perspective of Grade G7 contractors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55573/JISED.118794Keywords:
Shortage of Local Unskilled, labour, construction industry, MalaysiaAbstract
Malaysian construction industry is an important sector of the national economic development, but it still experiences the constant lack of local unskilled labour. This has created a high dependency on foreign labour, which evokes issues of sustainability of the work force, social inclusion, labour stability, and long-term industry stability. This study investigates the critical factors contributing to the shortage of local unskilled labour in Malaysia’s construction industry. The research employed a quantitative methodology, involving a questionnaire survey distributed to 92 respondents from Contractor G7 in Kuala Lumpur. Results show that new generation interest, reliability to foreign worker, and availability of alternative job opportunities with better lifestyle are major contributors to Shortage of Local Unskilled Labour. This research concludes that the lack of local unskilled labour in the construction industry of Malaysia is a complex problem which is preconditioned by economic, social and structural. The determine solutions include is stakeholders in the industry and policymakers will need to collaborate to make the construction sector more appealing as a career choice, develop the workforce better, and lessen reliance on foreign labour to help the construction workforce sustain itself in the future and become more resilient. These findings offer practical insights for developer, contractor and policymakers to enhance cost control in the construction sector.
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