The Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) wants the government to shift levy payments back to foreign workers instead of employers.

Association vice-president Sufri Mohd Zin told a press conference today that it is unfair and illogical for employers to pay the levy for their foreign workers.

"We want foreign workers to pay for their own levy. If employers paid for the levy, foreign workers will bring the money back to their own countries," Sufri said.

He added that the money used to pay for the foreign workers' levy should be used for the upgrading and improvement of the construction industry instead.

The association estimates that the foreign worker levy policy will place a financial burden of more than RM2 billion annually on the contractors.