HR minister: Pilot project to recruit 10,000 domestic helpers from Indonesia next month

 Monday, 24 Jan 2022 03:38 PM MYT

JAKARTA, Jan 24 — Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to implement a pilot project on the recruitment of 10,000 domestic helpers from the neighbouring country as early as next month, said Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

The pilot project is expected to start a week after the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the recruitment and placement of Indonesian domestic helpers is signed on Feb 7 and 8 in Bali.

“At today’s meeting, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel where the Indonesian and Malaysian governments share the same aspiration to champion the plight of immigrant workers and protect their rights.

“Malaysia in principle has agreed to introduce various measures to champion the plight of immigrant workers, especially from Indonesia,” he told reporters after the meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Ida Fauziyah, here.

Saravanan explained that the pilot project was significant to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of the MoU, which will be monitored by a special committee comprising of representatives from both countries, and further improve any weaknesses that arise.

During the second meeting with Ida Fauziyah within a period of two months, Saravanan said Indonesia had also agreed to allow the entry of 10,000 Indonesian workers for the plantation sector.

According to a press statement issued after the meeting, the ministry explained that the permission marked the beginning of the recruitment of 32,000 foreign workers in the plantation sector through special exemption as decided by the Cabinet meeting on April 7, 2021.

Meanwhile, the main MoU on domestic helpers to be signed next month has been agreed upon by the two countries including key issues such as the One Maid One House policy, One Channel System and salary.

The One Maid One House policy will replace the proposed One Maid One Task concept where one maid can be employed to work in a household with not more than six people, while the One Channel System will be the sole channel for the entry of Indonesian domestic helpers into Malaysia, the statement read.

It added that issues regarding the cost structure of recruitment will be reviewed every six months to ensure that it is in line with current developments, taking into account, among others, airfares and quarantine costs.

Malaysia and Indonesia signed the MoU for the first time on May 13, 2006 in Bali and, following that, the Protocol to Amend the MoU was inked on May 31, 2011 in Bandung which expired on May 30, 2016. — Bernama

source : https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/01/24/hr-minister-pilot-project-to-recruit-10000-domestic-helpers-from-indonesia/2037196

No more special quota for foreign worker recruitment, says Home Minister

Saturday, 22 Jan 2022 05:31 PM MYT

LARUT, Jan 22 — No more special quotas will be given for recruitment of foreign workers in the country, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

He said every application from employers must now go through the ministry’s evaluation committee to determine the number of foreign workers eligible to be employed in accordance with the set terms and conditions.

“Whatever people may say, take note that any employer who needs to hire foreign workers must obtain the committee’s approval according to the law.

“Take the plantation sector for example, you must know the foreign worker quota and how many are eligible. Let’s say there should be 1,000 workers but because there is no sufficient accommodation, so probably you can only get 400.

“To get the additional workers you have applied for, you need to submit another application to the Human Resource Ministry (KSM) or appeal to us for a review as the process is more stringent than before,” he said after a meet-the-people session at Kampung Tapah, Sungai Bayur, near Selama today.

He was commenting on the call by National Organisation of Private Service Agencies Malaysia (PAPSMA) secretary-general Dr. Sukumaran Nair, for the government to abolish the ‘special approval’ granted to certain parties to have a monopoly on the entry of foreign workers into the country to prevent syndicates from bringing in excessive number of foreign workers.

Hamzah said if the quota system was not applied and recruitment could be carried out freely, foreign workers would simply enter the country without adhering to the conditions and criteria set, resulting in various welfare problems.

Previously, employers had to deal through the Home Ministry on the employment of foreign workers, however, currently, all such matters can be made through KSM to ensure uniformity in policies and procedures for employment of foreign workers. — Bernama

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/01/22/no-more-special-quota-for-foreign-worker-recruitment-says-home-minister/2036855

Immigration extends special pass application period for social visit pass holders

KUALA LUMPUR:The application period for special passes for foreigners with social visit passes (PLS) and long-term PLS who have been stranded or overstayed in the country since Feb 1, 2020, has been extended.

Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said for PLS holders, the application period has been extended until Jan 31.

"For those with the long-term PLS, the application has been extended until June 30," he said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 1).

Those involved could apply for the special passes at the Visa, Passes and Permits counters at all state Immigration offices, he added.

Meanwhile, for the renewal of long-term PLS for spouses of Malaysian citizens, the application can be made online through the ePLSI system, Khairul Dzaimee said.

"More information can be obtained at the department's website www.imi.gov.my," he added.