THE Malaysian Employers Federation is all for efforts to reduce the number of foreign workers in the country but said doubling the levy is not the solution.

'The economy is very dependent on foreign workers,' said its executive director Shamsuddin Bardan. 'And, doubling the levy will only increase the cost of running businesses.'

He said some companies had no choice but to hire foreign workers because the locals shunned the jobs.

'What is important is to ensure that locals are ready to take up any job opportunity,' Shamsuddin said.