The shortage of skilled workers remains a concern for businesses in Ba Town, as many workers return to farms during the cane-cutting season, leaving gaps that are often filled by unskilled labourers.
Ba Chamber of Commerce Acting Secretary, Prashil Prabhash says there is a need for skilled labour in the construction and manufacturing industries but it is very difficult to find skilled workers, particularly those specialised in these areas.
He says importing workers is necessary, with most expatriates being sourced from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.
Prabhash adds that the Immigration Department provides some leeway in the application process by including employers on their approved list but the processing and recruitment time remains lengthy.
He further says that while there is a need to import skilled workers, it is still challenging for agencies to secure them despite the leeway.
The Acting Secretary has also highlighted ongoing issues such as poor quality of work and delays in project completion.
He warns that these challenges will slow down development, a problem being experienced nationwide.
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