Foreign Workers Allowed to Apply for Cross-Sector Employer Transfers
The joint committee meeting between the Home Minister and the Human Resources Minister today approved the cross-sector employer transfer for foreign workers, in line with practices in developed countries.
PUTRAJAYA: Foreign workers are now allowed to apply for employer transfers across employment sectors following a joint committee meeting between the Home Minister and the Human Resources Minister.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the measure aligns with good practices recommended by international organizations and implemented in developed countries.
“This policy change will bring various benefits not only to the government but also to employers and foreign workers,” according to a statement following the foreign worker management meeting with Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.
Previously, the government only permitted employer transfers within the same employment sector, provided there were circumstances such as company restructuring, closure, or expansion, or with approval from a committee managed by the Department of Labor.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin announced that employers are now required to be present at international exit points to manage the departure process of foreign workers, just as they are involved in the entry process.
This development follows an immigration recommendation to strengthen the handling of exit memos for foreign workers.
“Negligence or failure by employers may result in restrictions on new quota applications and other immigration-related dealings,” he said.