KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry is in discussions with foreign worker source countries to detail the cost structure for their recruitment in Malaysia.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said this initiative was in line with the ministry's commitment under the National Action Plan on Forced Labour 2021-2025, which incorporates the concepts of transparency and zero cost to the workers in the recruitment of foreign workers.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that the findings from the discussions would be shared with stakeholders, including government agencies in Sabah and Sarawak, employers, trade unions, private recruitment agencies and related bodies.
"At the same time, the ministry will review the agreed recruitment costs with source countries, and the results will be announced to employers and private recruitment agencies.
"This step will be evaluated as it is important to provide a clear picture of the costs involved in the recruitment of foreign workers, thus helping employers plan more effectively and transparently.
"For foreign worker candidates, the ministry will also implement a pre-employment programme, which provides early exposure to the types of jobs and the costs involved in Malaysia.
"This will enable them to understand the working conditions and the costs they need to bear, reducing the risk of misunderstandings or future disappointments."
He said the ministry encouraged employers to reduce their dependence on foreign workers by transitioning to mechanisation or automation.
This, he added, would not only boost the long-term competitiveness of the business sector but also modernise work processes.
He was responding to a question from Riduan Rubin (Independent-Tenom) on the proposal to set a maximum price for the recruitment of foreign workers in Sabah and measures to reduce the impact of foreign worker recruitment costs.