Ministry encourages feedback, input during townhall sessions

KUCHING: All stakeholders, be they employers and trade unions’ representatives, members of civil society organisations (CSOs) or any other parties, are encouraged to participate in the independent committee of foreign workers’ townhall sessions.

Secretary-general of the Ministry of Human Resources, Datuk Amir Omar said the establishment of the independent committee of foreign workers and the implementation of the townhall session are in line with the federal government’s efforts in strengthening the management of foreign workers in Malaysia for it to be more transparent, efficient and effective.

He said 13 townhall sessions would be held throughout the country to obtain feedback on the management of foreign workers.

The programme has so far covered Kuala Terengganu, Melaka, Kuantan and Kuching before it proceeds to Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Alor Setar, Ipoh, Seremban, Penang, Johor, Selangor and the Federal Territory.

“The session here is the first session in Sarawak. After this, we will be going to Miri,” he said at the launch of the programme here yesterday, which was attended by about 400 participants. Amir said the main purpose of the townhall session is to share information on the management of foreign workers and how to improve the management system of foreign workers so that they are more effective and relevant.

He said at every session, input, suggestions and views of those in attendance are very important and meaningful to the committee.

The public, he said, could also submit their proposals to the committee via email at jkppa2018@ mohr.gov.my, or via Instagram (@ Ilmia.mohr) and Facebook (ilmia. mohr).

“Based on the feedback and views of those in attendance during the townhall sessions and the public suggestions that are put forward via emails, the committee will study, prepare and submit proposals for the joint committee headed by the Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister of Human Resources, which would then come up with policies on the management of foreign workers in Malaysia.

“It is my hope that these townhall sessions would be effective in getting input directly from stakeholders in the context of managing the employment of foreign workers in Malaysia,” said Amir.