MUHYIDDIN: RECRUITMENT OF FOREIGN WORKERS THROUGH MIDDLEMEN TO BE ABOLISHED SOON
Task to be taken over by Human Resources Ministry, says minister
THE recruitment of foreign workers through agents or companies will be abolished soon. Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the recruiting of foreign workers, which is outsourced by the ministry to more than 100 companies, would be taken over by the Human Resources Ministry via private employment agencies (APS).
He said APS were bound by the conditions of a special act to ensure that the intake of foreign workers is better managed according to regulations and laws.
He said negotiations with companies involved had been held and the government agreed to give them more time to place workers under their responsibility to selected employers.
“Our goal is to avoid undesirable situations, such as human trafficking.”
He was speaking after chairing a joint committee meeting in Parliament with the Human Resources Ministry on the management of foreign workers.
Present was Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran.
Kulasegaran said the committee agreed to implement by next year the multi-tier levy system in the hiring of foreign workers, which had been implemented in Singapore.
He said through the system, the levy payment would be set based on the number of foreign workers to be employed by the employer.
Earlier, Muhyiddin said motions to repeal or amend some acts involving national security were expected be tabled next month, or latest by the subsequent parliamentary sitting.
He said six acts were being reviewed by the Security Acts Review Special Committee formed in July.
Besides the death penalty, acts under review are the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca), Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota), Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), Sedition Act 1948, Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
Muhyiddin said the committee was completing its report, which was being scrutinised by the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ technical committee.
“Issues being looked into are detention without trial (Poca and Pota), long remand periods of 60 days (Poca and Pota) and 28 days (Sosma), and the absence of provisions for the court to review detentions under Poca and Pota.
“Also being looked into are the wide scope of power of the authorities, limits on freedom of speech and assembly, and abuse of security laws for political objectives.
“The Home Ministry will seek the cabinet’s decision on the amendments or abolishment of these acts, and the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers will provide the related bills following the cabinet’s approval.”