Kulasegaran: Govt to overhaul foreign workers’ intake system

IPOH: The government has pledged to overhaul the system for the importation of foreign workers to eradicate monopolies by companies, which are raking in massive profits at the expense of burdening potential workers.

Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran said the ministry was aware of problems in the system governing the intake of foreign workers, especially those involving middlemen.

The severity of the problem, he said, had led to Nepal suspending the outflow of workers to Malaysia.

This, said Kulasegaran, could have a negative impact on Malaysia.

“It is disappointing to note that Nepal has barred its workers from coming to Malaysia.

“We are drafting a policy on how to manage the intake of foreign workers from source countries.

“Apart from Nepal, this also involves Bangladesh, Cambodia and Indonesia, which are finding it increasingly difficult to send their people to work in Malaysia,” he said.

He said this after the closing of the National Workers Occupational Safety and Health Week 2018 at Malay-Sino Chemical Industries Sdn Bhd here yesterday.

Kulasegaran said the ministry had held discussions with its Nepali counterparts two weeks ago, with the last meeting on Tuesday.

“I have also met with the Nepali High Commissioner to Malaysia, and we are establishing a new memorandum of understanding.

“A working paper on this is being prepared for tabling at the cabinet next week to obtain the necessary approvals.

“Following that, either I will go to Nepal, or a Nepali minister will visit Malaysia so we can resolve this matter as soon as possible,” he said.

He also hoped the Nepali government would reconsider its directive concerning the suspension of its workers from coming to Malaysia.

“I will attempt to communicate with the Nepali High Commissioner here on Monday (tomorrow) to further discuss the issue.

“Many industries in Malaysia rely on foreign labour... but there are problems with the intake process, which benefits third parties.

“For example, the visa processing fee for Nepali workers is only US$20 (RM80). But, it is understood that thousands of ringgit are charged for other costs, such as medical check-up, which are managed by companies or individuals approved by the previous government.”

He said the government was studying the matter and was looking for other mechanisms to simplify the intake of foreign workers.

This, he said, included the possibility of reverting to the old “governm e n t - t o - g o v e r nment” system, without the need for a third party.

“By eliminating the middlemen, we are also eliminating the opportunity for corruption.”

Many industries in Malaysia rely on foreign labour... but there are problems with the intake process, which benefits third parties. M. KULASEGARAN

Human resources minister