Seek overseas jobs only through licensed agencies, says deputy minister

KUALA LUMPUR: A high salary of over RM80 an hour is the key lure for Malaysians to work abroad, but they are advised to do so only through licensed recruitment agencies.

"The minimum pay in Australia is A$20.33 an hour which is equivalent to RM84.28 while the minimum pay per hour in South Korea is US$8 or RM33.16," Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Awang Hashim told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 1).

"These rates... attract locals to work abroad," he added in response to Datuk Shabudin Yahaya (PN-Tasek Gelugor).

Earlier, Sabudin had informed the House that a local journalist with a Malay newspaper had gone undercover to work on a farm in Australia following claims of forced labour involving Malaysian workers.

Shabudin had asked what was being done to prevent the forced labour of Malaysians working in Australia and South Korea.

Awang said recruitment agencies involved in recruiting Malaysians for employment overseas must be registered with the ministry.

He said agencies that breach regulations can be fined up to RM200,000 with those involved also liable to a maximum three years jail.

So far, however, the ministry had yet to receive any reports against any recruitment agencies, he added.