Saifuddin urged to consider extending work pass for 3 sub-sectors

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has been asked to consider extending the existing Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) for the textile, barber and goldsmith sub-sector, which will expire in March, for a suitable period.

Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar said he had discussed with Saifuddin (above) to consider the issue.

“The government is concerned with the request of local employers for the reopening of the textile, barber and goldsmith sub-sector for the employment of foreign workers.

“The three sub-sectors have been frozen since 2009 and completely closed for the employment of foreign workers since 2019, he said in a statement today.

Sivakumar said there is a process that needs to be followed concerning any government policy regarding the employment of foreign workers - where it needs to be brought up at the meeting level of the Joint Committee of the Home Minister and Human Resources Minister Related to the Management of Foreign Workers first.

Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar

“Any recommendations from this joint committee meeting will then be presented for the consideration and approval of the cabinet before any announcement regarding the reopening of these three sectors can be implemented," he said.

He added that any government policy related to the employment of foreign workers, including the freezing or reopening of a sector or sub-sector will take into account the current situation as well as the actual needs of employers.

- Bernama