KUALA LUMPUR: The government has agreed to further extend the work permits for skilled foreigners who have been working here for more than 10 years, under Temporary Working Pass, with condition of yearly permit renewal, for up to three years.
Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran said the levy charges involving the extension of a foreign worker after 10 years would be paid by the employer, as decided by the Cabinet in March 2016 before its implementation in January this year.
“This, however, is only applicable to skilled foreign workers for a maximum of three years and the work permit must be renewed on a yearly basis.”
He said on Aug 29 the Cabinet had announced that the levy charged for foreign workers serving more than 10 years could be extended further for another three years under the same conditions and the levy charges borne by the employer.
“This levy will cost RM10,000 a year and offer is only valid for skilled workers in formal sectors such as manufacturing, construction, service, plantation, agriculture and mining,” Kulasegaran said in a statement today.
He said it was not applicable to sectors which had been put on hold or frozen, as well as outsourcing agencies.
The move was to ensure that foreigners who had been working in the country for a long time and had mastered certain skills would not suffer.
Kulasegaran said those under the temporary work visit pass were also not entitled to permanent resident status or citizenship in the country.
Foreign levy collection was first introduced by the Malaysian Government in 1992 and previously the charges were paid by the workers.
However, in March 2016 the Cabinet revised the foreign workers levy policy and shifted the responsibility for those who have worked more than 10 years for their employers to bare the levy cost.
Kulasegaran said the extension exercise for Temporary Work Visit Pass (PLKS) had commenced two days ago (Oct 1).