PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet Committee Meeting on Foreign Workers and Illegal Immigrants (JKKPA-PATI) has agreed on a proposal to strengthen Foreign Workers Medical Examination programme.
In a statement today, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who chaired the meeting, said health screenings programme for foreigners who wish to work in Malaysia will be carried out regularly during the period of employment.
This, he said, is to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases to Malaysians.
"This programme is designed to ensure that workers are free from communicable, infectious diseases and drug abuse as well as to protect national security in terms of health," he said.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said in an efforts to reduce the rate of infectious diseases, the meeting also agreed to a requirement for foreign workers to be subject to health checks, adding that the execution will be decided after discussions and consultations with employers.
Employers will also be required to provide a centralised accommodation for the foreign workers, for the sake of their welfare and safety.
“Failure to do so could lead to the Immigration Department rejecting any renewal application for the foreign workers’ permits,” he said.
The committee has also agreed with proposals to give opportunities for private organisations interested in providing accommodation for foreign workers as a possible option for employers.
As of March 31, the number of registered foreign workers in Malaysia stood at 1.99 million, Zahid said.
"Although the number is large, we (the government) receive still complaints from industries that they still lack foreign workers, especially after the freeze on foreign workers implemented recently," he added.
The government has also identified several sectors with critical need for foreign workers, namely manufacturing, construction and farming.
Zahid also stressed that in terms of job placement, priority should be given to Malaysians first and efforts to provide job opportunities for locals who have been laid off must be given importance.