Kuala Lumpur, December 29, 2023 – The Malaysian Industrial Commercial and Service Employers Association (MICSEA) wholeheartedly supports the proposition made by YB Tuan M. Kula Segaran, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms), advocating for the exclusive placement of foreign worker management under the purview of the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR), in alignment with the recommendations of the independent committee on foreign workers.
MICSEA advocates for a more efficient approach to foreign worker management, achieved through a unified Ministry and a comprehensive online system. This approach aims to ensure a well-rounded, equitable, and transparent administration of foreign labor within the country.
Addressing the persistent issue of inconsistent government decisions concerning foreign worker management holds utmost significance. Over the years, this ongoing problem has increasingly frustrated employers. The ever-changing policies have led to procedural confusion, forcing employers to engage with multiple government entities, resulting in substantial delays in obtaining approvals. These delays, in turn, place significant financial burdens on employers, impairing their capacity to secure workers in an equitable, transparent, and timely manner.
The following are several justifications supporting the role of MOHR as the sole agency responsible for managing foreign workers:
1. Streamlined and Consistent Policies:
Centralizing foreign worker management under a single ministry can lead to more consistent and coherent policies. This reduces confusion among employers and foreign workers alike and ensures that the rules and regulations are uniformly enforced.
2. Efficient Resource Allocation:
Having a dedicated ministry for foreign worker management allows for better resource allocation and utilization. This can result in improved oversight, faster processing times, and a more cost-effective approach to managing foreign labor.
3. Enhanced Accountability:
The Ministry of Human Resources can be held directly accountable for foreign worker-related matters, making it easier to address issues and concerns promptly. This accountability can help in creating a more transparent and responsive system.
4. Expertise and Specialization:
Focusing the responsibility on a single ministry allows for the development of specialized expertise in managing foreign labor issues. This can lead to better training programs, more effective oversight, and improved support for both employers and foreign workers.
5. Reduced Bureaucracy and Delays:
A streamlined process under a single ministry can help reduce bureaucracy and approval delays, which have been a common source of frustration for employers. This, in turn, can facilitate a more efficient and timely recruitment of foreign workers to meet industry needs.
In this context, MICSEA strongly advocates for the Ministry of Human Resources, entrusted with the responsibility of managing the nation’s human assets, to be the sole authority overseeing foreign worker management. This approach is aimed at ensuring continuity, credibility, transparency, and clarity in the country’s foreign worker management policies.
YK Lai, MHRM | TTT
President, Malaysian Industrial Commercial & Service Employers Association
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