KUALA LUMPUR: The foreign worker management One Stop Centre (OSC) is now under the purview of the Human Resources Ministry for all logistical purposes effective immediately, in line with the Cabinet decision on July 1, says Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
The Human Resources Minister said that all applications from Monday (July 6) must be made by employers only via the eQuota module in the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS) and there will be no considerations on a case-by-case basis.
He said this move will enable a more transparent and more efficient system, almost eliminating human interference in foreign worker management in the country and minimise the need for employers to travel to Putrajaya before approval.
Ramanan announced this at a special media conference held Monday to announce the complete takeover by the Human Resources Ministry.
Prior to this, the OSC for foreign worker management was under the Home Ministry.
Ramanan’s announcement comes amid complaints by employers that the OSC for foreign workers frequently faced systemic issues, including backlogs, sudden service counter disruptions, bureaucratic red tape and policy inconsistencies.
However, Ramanan said the latest move does not absolve the Home Ministry's authority regarding national security matters, as the latter can still overwrite approvals if the Home Ministry feels the need to do so.
“There will be no more case by case basis - you don’t have to come to me or my chief secretary for your applications. You don’t have to travel from other states to Putrajaya to apply for your quota of foreign workers.
“All foreign worker quota applications will be submitted through the eQuota module in FWCMS, the single digital platform appointed by the Government to manage foreign worker application processes in Malaysia,” said Ramanan.
He said that the implementation will begin with the processing of 22,476 foreign worker quota applications involving 548 companies that had previously submitted manual applications for approval under Section 60K of the Employment Act 1955.
“These applications will now be processed through the FWCMS.
“The Human Resources Ministry will notify employers to complete their registration in the FWCMS, obtain approval under Section 60K, and subsequently submit their foreign worker quota applications online.
“In line with this decision, the Human Resources Ministry has undertaken strategic and proactive initiatives to ensure that the governance of foreign worker quota applications is implemented effectively,” said Ramanan.
Currently, a general freeze on new foreign worker quota approvals remains largely in place, though the government has extended the freeze and the Home Ministry continued to handle adjustments on a case-by-case basis.
On the question if the Human Resources Ministry expects a rush of applications, Ramanan said that the application portal has been around for years and is able to accommodate hundreds of thousands of applications at a time.
“This is to ensure that the operational supply chain of industries requiring manpower is not disrupted.
“The use of the FWCMS, which is integrated with existing government systems, will ensure smoother application processing and reduce congestion at the OSC.
“As an online platform, the FWCMS enables employers to schedule interviews in a structured and controlled manner based on the OSC's capacity.
“As a long-term measure, the Human Resources Ministry will also study implementing an online document verification system to replace the current physical counter system at the OSC,” said Ramanan.
He further said that foreign worker applications will prioritise the job advertising requirement for local job seekers.
“Employers must first apply for local workers through the MYFutureJobs portal and in compliance with labour laws, including the requirements under Section 60K of the Employment Act 1955, before employers are permitted to apply for foreign workers through the OSC.
“Matters relating to foreign worker quota applications will continue to be handled at the Foreign Worker Management OSC, Level 5, Setia Perkasa 9, Kompleks Setia Perkasa, Putrajaya, until a more strategic location for the OSC is identified,” said Ramanan.
He said that the Human Resources Ministry will also set up a dedicated Foreign Worker Management Division to oversee the OSC's policy, operations, and inspections.
“Staffing for this division will be carried out through the redeployment of existing officers currently serving at the OSC previously under the Home Ministry.
“The Human Resources Ministry’s senior management is currently reviewing all matters relating to the transfer of the OSC in consultation with the Home Ministry and other government agencies,” said Ramanan.
He said a meeting between the chief secretaries of both ministries will take place in the next few days.
At the same media conference, Ramanan also said the Cabinet has agreed for the Human Resources Ministry to establish a Foreign Workers Transit Centre.
“This is to manage foreign workers entering Malaysia as part of broader improvements to the country's foreign worker management and employment ecosystem. The ministry will further study this proposal and conduct engagement sessions with source countries through Malaysia's existing diplomatic networks, while considering international best practices from countries such as Singapore, South Korea, and countries in the Middle East,” said Ramanan.
