The Cabinet has decided to halt the recruitment of new foreign workers supply into the country, said Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said this also meant that the initial plan to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers was officially scrapped. The decision would not involve the domestic help or maid sector.
Malaysia is halting the recruitment of new foreign workers into the country with immediate effect, it announced on Saturday (Mar 12, 2016). However, the decision, which was made at a Cabinet meeting on Friday, would not involve the domestic help or maid sector, according to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Cabinet halts intake of new foreign workers, says Zahid
Employers who wanted to hire foreign workers should recruit the existing foreign employees in the country, including those whose permits had expired, he added.
This also meant that the country’s initial plan to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers would be “closed”.
Employers or agents found guilty of protecting illegal foreign workers will be subjected to whipping. “Whipping will be meted out by courts because the punishment with fine has no effect as employers and agents still keep bringing in illegal foreign workers,” said Ahmad Zahid.
He also added that the sentence was meant to dismiss the false allegation that the government was trying to make a profit out of the recruitment process. The government had given ample opportunities for employees to register their foreign workers, he said.
Employers have until Jun 30 to legalise foreign workers. Those who want to hire foreign workers should submit their applications to the Malaysian Employers Federation, Malaysian Trades Union Congress and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, added Ahmad Zahid.
Ahmad Zahid said following this, employers and recruitment agents would be dealt with more severely.
“We will be pushing for those found guilty of trafficking and harbouring illegal workers to be caned.
“Right now, they are not afraid because they think they can get away by paying a fine but that will not be the case anymore,” he said.
News Source: The Star, Channel News Asia & Free Malaysia Today.
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