Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said employers merely needed to submit to the Home
Ministry the number of workers to be brought into the country and their names,
and to pay the requisite levy and visa fees.
<p>"Currently, it takes two weeks to one month for approval," the Deputy
Prime Minister said. </p>
<p>With the new procedure, "we can reduce red tape and the waiting period
to bring in foreign workers," he told reporters after chairing the Cabinet
committee on foreign workers meeting here yesterday. </p>
<p>Najib said a new division dealing with immigration affairs would be created
under the Home Ministry for this purpose. </p>
<p>He said employers would have to obtain from their contacts abroad the details
of the foreign workers they intended to hire, and then submit the particulars
to this division. </p>
<p>Under the current procedure, employers would have to submit the number of workers
they require, which would have to be approved by a technical committee under
the ministry that meets once a week. </p>
<p>Once approval is given, the employers get the information on their foreign
workers and pay the levy after bringing in the workers. </p>
<p>Najib said, as a stop gap measure, the Cabinet committee also decided to allow
more companies to outsource foreign workers to those who need manpower. </p>
<p>"These companies can provide workers on a seasonal basis to work in vegetable
farms, oil palm plantations or small factories for a short period," he
said. </p>
<p>He added that these companies would have to adhere to stringent conditions,
such as a minimum capital of RM100,000, and a RM250,000 bond placed with the
Government, as well as ensure that the welfare of the workers were taken care
of. </p>
<p>Home Affairs Minister Datuk Azmi Khalid told reporters that the Government
decided to simplify the procedures for employers to engage foreign workers to
curb the hiring of illegal immigrants. </p>
<p>Immigration director of enforcement Datuk Ishak Mohamed said this new procedure
would prevent bogus applicants from selling the ministry’s letter of approval
before the workers arrive. </p>
<p>On fears that this new regulation might open the door for foreigners who were
not serious about working to enter Malaysia, Ishak said: "Something has
to be sacrificed in order to get something done. </p>
<p>"It is up to the employers to look for good workers, and the moment we
(Immigration department) find that certain workers are no good, we will advise
the employers to send them back.
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