FMM calls on govt to revert to single agency to handle foreign workers employment
23 Dec 2022 12:29pm
Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai - BERNAMA
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"FMM therefore calls on the Government to review the decision to split the role of foreign worker management between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) and Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR),” its president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said in a statement here, today.
"The entire processing of labour demand must be handled by MOHR while MOHA should focus on security issues, issuance of the relevant visa and border control measures as done in other countries that have similar dependence on foreign workers to complement the country’s manpower requirements.”
Recently, the government had announced that it was moving the One-Stop Centre (OSC) for the recruitment of foreign workers back to the MOHA, while the OCS to recruit domestic workers (domestic helpers/maids) remains under the purview of MOHR.
Among others, FMM said a single agency/single online system would ensure coordinated policy implementation and also removes duplication of processes and procedures.
It ensures that only a single central repository of foreign workers database is maintained which can be shared with all the relevant authorities and agencies instead of having multiple systems and databases for different stages of the application process handled by different ministries/agencies and requiring employers to submit data and employee authorisation to multiple ministries/agencies.
"It also ensures prompt communication...issues are resolved faster as employers only deal with a single agency and system. It eliminates the need to appoint third party service providers both domestically and at the source country to handle the many segments/processes involved in the employment of foreign workers.”
Additionally, it removes the discretionary powers of the agencies and officers handling the applications as well as removes rent seeking activities.
"By streamlining the various applications into one single system, the cost for employers will be lower (too),” said FMM. - BERNAMA
