PETALING JAYA: A new requirement for employers to declare and verify foreign workers’ accommodation addresses through the Foreign Workers Medical Examination System (Fomema) portal will increase administrative workloads but should improve worker tracking, stakeholders say.
Yayasan Nishana chairman Nivas Ragavan noted that requiring address confirmation helps authorities maintain an accurate database of migrant worker residences.
“This is important for worker welfare, enforcement, immigration management, public safety and emergency response,” Nivas said.
“Having an updated address gives authorities far better visibility over worker movement and placement.”
Under the directive, employers must submit and verify accommodation addresses when registering foreign workers for medical screening via Fomema’s online portal.
He added that the system will help enforcement agencies track undeclared address changes or overcrowded housing.
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“However, from an employer’s perspective, this creates an ongoing compliance duty. Companies with large foreign workforces must ensure records are updated whenever housing changes,” Nivas noted.
Yayasan Nishana is a Malaysian foundation providing business support, grants and loans to micro, small and medium enterprises.
Nivas warned that the directive could prove challenging for sectors with mobile workforces, such as construction, manufacturing, plantations, services and project-based operations.
“The core challenge lies in maintaining information accuracy on an ongoing basis rather than the initial registration.
“Employers must not treat this as a one-off exercise. They need internal monitoring systems to ensure Fomema records remain up to date,” Nivas said.
He welcomed the rule as a step towards stronger governance, provided implementation remains practical.
“It creates greater accountability for employers while improving visibility for authorities,” he added.
“This initiative will also support national efforts to combat human trafficking and improve Malaysia’s standing in the US Trafficking in Persons report.”
SME Association of Malaysia national president Dr Chin Chee Seong, however, called for greater clarity on the directive, saying no reason had been given for the new requirement.
He urged the government to defer implementation until consultation sessions are held with recruitment agencies and trade associations.
“This will be cumbersome for employers and agents alike,” Chin said.
“Fomema is a medical screening body, whereas worker housing falls under the purview of the Human Resources Ministry.”
Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman supported the move, saying it was important to ensure all data on foreign workers remained accurate and current.
“As employers, we are accountable for our labour force and we must be able to reach them anytime.
“This is good for all parties – employees, employers and the government.
“Data accuracy is mandatory to track foreign workers,” he added.
Syed Hussain said the requirement was an administrative matter that could be managed with proper communication and record-keeping.
“We do not think this is a real challenge. It is administrative and can be managed if proper communication is given to the workers to update all personal data,” he added.
