Approvals to hire foreign workers within three days, says Home Minister

Photo: Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Approvals for applications to hire foreign workers from 15 countries will be given within three days, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Home Minister said this falls under the “relaxation of foreign workers recruitment plan”, which was agreed by Cabinet.

“Under this plan, employers will be allowed to hire workers from 15 countries based on the current needs and abilities of employers without having to go through hiring prerequisites and qualification quotas,” said Saifuddin during a press conference in Perdana Putra on Tuesday (Jan 10).

Saifuddin said Section 60(K) of the Employment Act will be applied on this special plan, where employers must comply with requirements such as minimum wage payments among others.

“But employers have to file their application and we will give approvals within three days under this plan,” added Saifuddin

The 15 countries are India, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Kazakhstan.