Foreign workers holding the Visit Pass -- Temporary Employment (PLKS) for the past 10 years will be given a reprieve to continue working in Malaysia, said the country's Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran.

The human resources minister said the cabinet had agreed on August 29 to provide the leeway.

“However, the extension is only for a maximum three years and the passes have to be renewed every year.

“These foreign workers are not allowed to apply for entry permits, permanent resident status or Malaysian citizenship.

Kulasegaran said since 1992, levy payments for foreign workers had been implemented by the government and fully borne by them.

But on March 25, 2016, the cabinet decided that the levy, amounting to RM10,000 per worker per year, would be paid by employers from Jan 1 this year.

“This only applies to foreign workers in formal sectors such as manufacturing, construction, plantation, services, agriculture, mining and quarries.

“The levy is not imposed in frozen sectors and companies that require outsourcing,” he said.

Kulasegaran said this would enable employers to retain skilled foreign workers.

Copyright: The Star Online/ Asia News Network