PUTRAJAYA: Employers who obtain conditional approval from the Human Resources Ministry to employ foreign workers under the Foreign Worker Employment Relaxation Plan need to settle the levy payment at the Immigration Department before identifying foreign workers in the source country.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was one of the procedures set to employ foreign workers under the plan, which runs effective from January to March 31.
"With the conditional approval document, employers can make a levy payment at the Immigration Department. They can then identify foreign workers in the source country to undergo health screening as a pre-condition before departure to Malaysia," he said in a statement today.
Through the plan, employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers from 15 source countries based on the employer's ability and needs, and are exempted from going through employment eligibility pre-conditions and quota eligibility.
The Foreign Worker Management Special Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 10 agreed to create a Relaxation of Employment of Foreign Workers Plan to meet the need for foreign workers, in addition to re-implementing the Labour Recalibration Programme.
Human Resources Minister Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu today said the government will implement the Foreign Worker Employment Relaxation Plan programme for five sectors and sub-sectors, namely manufacturing, construction, plantations, agriculture and services (restaurants only).
Saifuddin said after the levy payment process, employers need to complete Visa With Reference applications, Single Entry Visa applications abroad, the immigration process at the international entrance, health screening of foreign workers in the country and the issuance of temporary employment visit passes (PLKS).
"After the issuance of the PLKS, employers will be given a maximum period of six months to comply with pre-conditions that were exempted at the initial stage such as compliance with labour laws and quota eligibility criteria under the Human Resources Ministry as well as minimum employment requirements under the Regulatory Agency."
In order to ensure compliance with the pre-conditions in the stipulated period, Saifuddin said the Home Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the Human Resources Ministry will strengthen the inspectorate enforcement in the management of foreign workers.
"If the employer violates any of the rules and laws in force, the employer may be subject to action in accordance with the relevant acts," he said.
Regarding the Labour Recalibration Programme which was reintroduced for a year, Saifuddin said applications for the programme can be made through the Immigration Department website at www.imi.gov.my.
Saifuddin said a visit to the three main source countries, namely Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nepal, will be held in the near future to discuss the safety of foreign workers, as well as consult the Relaxation Plan for the Employment of Foreign Workers and the Labour Recalibration Programme. --Bernama