Gov't may see RM1b gain from foreign worker extension fees

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the government may see an initial gain of RM1bil from the three-year extension given to skilled foreign workers.

Speaking at the Annual Property Developers Conference, Lim did not provide a time frame for the RM1bil collection.

In late August, the Human Resources Ministry extended the temporary foreign workers permit to 10 years with a three-year extension at RM10,000 a year to be paid for each foreign worker.

This applies to the foreign workers in manufacturing, construction, plantation, services, agriculture and mining sectors.

Lim said the foreign worker will pay 80% of the RM10,000 and the employer, 20%.

However, Master Builders Association Malaysia president Foo Chek Lee said there are doubts if these skilled workers will pay the 80%.

"They would instead return to their home country," Foo said.