PETALING JAYA: There is a need to set up a single online system for the recruitment of foreign workers, says the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).
In a Tuesday (Aug 13) statement, its president, Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, said that consolidating the foreign worker employment process through a unified online platform under a single agency would improve transparency and efficiency.
“It is unclear if the entire foreign worker process would come under a single online system or multiple systems given that the initial quota approval would still be from the Human Resources Ministry,” the statement said.
FMM was responding to the announcement by the Human Resources Ministry that it has abolished its foreign workers management division (BPPA) and transferred its functions to the Home Ministry, effective Aug 1.
Since 2022, BPPA managed the One-Stop Centre (OSC), which reviews and approves foreign worker quotas and recruitment through the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS).
Following the announcement, which was made on Aug 9, FMM said it was unclear where employers should go to start the foreign worker employment process.
FMM said it had previously proposed that the management of foreign workers be placed under the Human Resources Ministry, given its core role as the custodian of the country’s human resources and labour matters.
“The reversal of the foreign worker management policy complicates the process as employers must obtain approvals from two or more Ministries/agencies for a single application.
“The amendments to the Employment Act 1955 in January 2023, particularly Section 60K, provide for employers to obtain approval from the Director General (DG) of Labour before hiring any foreign workers.
“Human Resource Ministry also enforces the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act 446), which is a mandatory requirement to be met for the recruitment of foreign workers along with a host of other regulations and conditions,” said the statement.
FMM also urged the ministries to engage with stakeholders regarding its stand on the foreign worker policy and changes following the latest announcement.
