GOMBAK – Once foreign workers sign their service contracts, they must be paid salaries, warned Human Resources Minister Steven Sim as the government comes down hard on recruitment agents and employers.
Failing to do so can result in legal action including blacklisting, which awaits errant agents and employers, he said.
“Migrant workers that were brought into Malaysia are entitled to their salaries whether they get the job as promised or not.
“Their salaries start when they sign their contracts,” he said in a press conference here today.
He added that this is also to deter irresponsible agents and employers from exceeding their hiring quotas.
This follows an incident on December 25, where 171 foreign workers, holding valid working permits, marched in Pengerang, Johor to lodge a police report after their agent failed to secure jobs for them, despite being in the country for over three months.
On the matter of Fomema Sdn Bhd’s sudden increased fee and medical checkups, Sim said he will be discussing it with the Health Ministry.
Previously, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) said it was disappointed with Fomema’s decision to increase the fees and frequency of medical examinations for foreign workers without prior consultation with stakeholders.
MEF said businesses only found out about the increase on Fomema’s website. – January 19, 2024