PUTRAJAYA: Employers are now required to be present when sending foreign workers back home, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In a statement today, the minister announced that the decision was made following a joint committee meeting between the Home Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry.
"First, we agreed with the recommendation by the Immigration Department to strengthen the management of the Check Out Memo for foreign workers.
"With today’s agreement, employers are now required to be present at international exit points to manage the exit registration of foreign workers, just as they are required to manage the entry of foreign workers.
"Any negligence or failure by employers may result in restrictions on new quota applications and other immigration-related dealings," he said.
It has also been decided that intersectoral employer changes would be allowed.
"Previously, the government only allowed employer changes within the same employment sector, subject to conditions such as company restructuring, company closure, company expansion, or approval from a committee managed by the Labour Department.
"With this new decision, employers are allowed to apply for foreign worker transfers across different employment sectors.
"This policy change will bring various benefits not only to the government but also to employers and foreign workers.
"Moreover, it reflects a good practice recommended by international labour organizations and already adopted by other developed countries," he said.
He added that all parties are to be aware of the policy decisions and comply with the outlined regulations.
