No more case-by-case migrant worker quota approvals - Ramanan

 

The Human Resources Ministry said all migrant worker quota applications are now fully processed through the eQuota module in the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS), ending case-by-case migrant worker quota approvals.

Human Resources Minister R Ramanan said the move followed the cabinet’s July 1 decision to place the Migrant Worker Management One-Stop Centre (OSC) under the ministry with immediate effect.

The new governance structure is expected to ensure that the operational chain of industries applying for manpower is not disrupted.

“I reiterate, there is no more case-by-case (approval). Once the engagement sessions are completed, the regulatory agencies will inform the OSC for consideration and approval will be granted.

“It is straightforward and simple. No such thing as case-by-case,” he told a special press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said, as of this morning, a total of 22,476 applications involving 548 companies had been recorded in the system, compared to the previously announced figure of 19,000 applications.

Ramanan also said his ministry has full control over FWCMS, including the source code and super admin access, which will be held by the ministry’s secretary-general. This refutes claims that the ministry lacked access to the system.

“There is no need to contact, meet, or request to expedite this quota. Everything goes through the system, which is transparent and clear,” he said.

Also present at the press conference were Deputy Human Resources Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, ministry secretary-general Azman Yusof, and deputy secretary-general (Operations) Sutekno Ahmad Belon.

Ramanan added that employers must prioritise local workers by obtaining approval under Section 60K of the Employment Act 1955 and advertising vacancies on the MyFutureJobs portal before applying for a migrant worker quota.

This applies only if no suitable local candidates are available.

Meanwhile, Ramanan said the cabinet approved the establishment of a transit centre to house newly arrived migrant workers in Malaysia while they wait for their employers to collect them for placement at their workplaces.

He said the transit centre aims to reduce congestion at airports, ensure workers are collected by the employers who applied for them and prevent abuse after they enter the country.

He added that although the OSC is now under the Human Resources Ministry, the authority to issue work passes or permits remains with the Home Ministry because it involves national security.

- Bernama