ISKANDAR PUTERI: Flexibility to obtain foreign workers with approval given within three days is expected to overcome the issue involving monopoly by agents as well as prevent syndicates in source countries from reaping excessive profits.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Mustapha @ Mohd Yunus Sakmud said the move to unshackle the sector was also expected to reduce recruitment red tape which previously caused many foreign worker applications to take a long time to be approved.
He said this after a working visit at the Ciba Vision Sdn Bhd contact lens factory in Tanjung Pelepas Port (PTP), here, today.
Also present was Human Resources Department director-general Shakib Ahmad Shakir and the Ciba Vision general manager Dr James Jeyadeva.
In January, the government established the Foreign Worker Employment Relaxation Plan to allow employers to hire foreign workers from 15 source countries based on their abilities and actual needs without having to go through employment qualification prerequisites and quota qualifications.
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had said that under the plan, employers from seven critical sectors requiring foreign workers could apply directly through an agent with green light granted in less than three days.
However, he added that the approval was given conditionally, meaning that there would be a process of supervision and inspection by monitoring and inspection actions from the relevant regulatory agencies.
In the meantime, Mustapha who is the Sepanggar member of parliament said that the Human Resources Department would conduct surprise inspections of factories nationwide to ensure that the safety, welfare and accommodation of workers are protected.
He said through spying and information obtained, most of the oppressed employees were foreign workers and local workers who were mistreated would usually file complains to the department.
"I call on employers to always ensure that the safety, welfare and accommodation of employees is maintained if they do not want to face any serious action.
"During the operation carried out by the department in Kluang recently, we were saddened to receive information that the workers of a wood factory were placed in improper accommodation, comprising a narrow room with beds without mattresses and was found to be dirty.
"The department will conduct raids and surprise operations on factories and employers throughout the country to ensure that employers do not mistreat their workers," he said.
