PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry will not budge from the May 31 deadline for the hiring of foreign workers through the Labour Recalibration Programme 2.0.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the decision was made collectively by all enforcement agencies under the ministry and relevant ministries involved in the programme.
He said the number of foreign workers, based on approved quotas so far, may reach the ceiling set by the Economy Ministry before May 31.
"Therefore, the government has decided to set May 31 as the final date for the entry of foreign workers for national security reasons," he said in a press conference, today.
Saifuddin said this in response to the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (NCCIM) calls for the government to reassess the decision to cancel the unused foreign worker quota by March 31.
This follows the Immigration Department's updated circular on regulations on the management and intake of foreign workers.
The circular states that employers with an active quota for foreign workers must bring workers into the country by May 31 this year, a significant reversal from the previously set deadline of September 2024, and cancel the unused foreign worker quota by March 31.
Saifuddin said the deadline will allow the government to evaluate its initiatives and explore ways to improve the management of foreign workers.
Meanwhile, on the Migrant Repatriation Programme, Saifuddin said a total of RM2.89 million in compounds were collected between March 1 to 7.
In that period, a total of 5,983 undocumented migrants were registered, with 1,864 returning to their home countries, he said.
Most of those who returned were from Indonesia, with a total of 3,115 people, followed by Bangladesh (846) and India (700).