Government approves entry of 500,000 foreign workers

January 18, 2023

Government approves entry of 500,000 foreign workers

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is expected to bring in about 500,000 foreign workers in stages via the Foreign Workers Employment Relaxation Plan (Pelan Kelonggaran Penggajian Pekerja Asing) rolled out under the Human Resources Ministry.

Its minister V. Sivakumar said these foreign workers were for five critical sectors— manufacturing, construction, farming, agriculture and services (restaurants).

“Our data show that 500,000 foreign workers are very much needed in these critical sectors. If there is a need to get more foreign workers, we will add. But, it cannot exceed more than 2.4 million foreign workers as stipulated under the 12th Malaysia Plan,” he said at the 20th Human Resources Development Ministry’s Gala Awards Dinner last night (Jan 17).

Sivakumar said foreign workers had begun entering the country in stages.

Earlier, in a statement, the minister said the implementation of the Foreign Workers Employment Relaxation Plan was aimed at fast tracking the application and approval of foreign workers for critical sectors.

He said employers in these five critical sectors and sub-sectors could submit their applications for foreign workers via the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) effective immediately.

Before this, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was quoted as saying that employers would be allowed to engage in bringing in foreign workers from 15 source countries without having to fulfill quota requirements and employment eligibility prerequisites.

Saifuddin also said he would be leading a delegation comprising representatives from the ministry and related government agencies to the selected 15 source countries to discuss on the safety and welfare aspects of foreign workers here in this country.