KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (Fomema) has tightened up the requirements for foreign workers by adding on two additional health screenings and one drug test.
The revised medical check-up requirements, effective from Dec 16 this year, aim to enhance the overall health assessment of foreign workers.
Fomema, in a statement released on its official Facebook page, outlined the inclusion of Filariasis, Hepatitis C and Methamphetamine screening as part of the new health evaluation process.
The company also announced a revision in its fee structure for foreign worker medical examinations and the procedural changes to align with recent advancements.
"The revised fee structure sets new rates at RM207 for males, RM217 for females, and RM27 for refund/cancellation.
"For new arrivals, employers must complete registration within seven working days from the arrival date.
"In the case of renewals, registration must be completed three months before the expiration of the work permit," it said.
It was reported earlier that the Malaysia Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has called for an investigation to uncover and locate foreign workers who, despite assurances of employment, found themselves without jobs upon arriving in Malaysia.
MTUC's secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said that at the root of this problem is the recruitment chain for foreign workers, often through dubious agencies.
He called for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate these recruitment agencies, which are already mired with corruption, bribery, abuse of power, gangsters and cartels.
It was also reported that 171 Bangladeshis marched to file a report claiming that their agents had failed to provide them with jobs after three to six months on Dec 20.
The workers were apprehended on the same day and transferred to the immigration department for staying beyond their authorised period, despite having valid documents.
This followed Economy minister Rafizi Ramli addressing the growing presence of foreign workers, stating that the industry's dependence on this labour force was a contributing factor.
Rafizi highlighted that the issue is a national concern, emphasising it stems from the country's reliance on foreign workers.
He said the government has taken steps to address the issue which include reforming our labour market through the implementation of progressive wages, industry training (AI) and phasing down of foreign workers through various levies (MTL).
"The Anti-Ali Baba Act will allow action against Malaysians who employ Ali Baba tactics in renting out licences to foreign workers without meeting requirements," he explained.