PUTRAJAYA, Jan 4 — The Plantation and Commodities Ministry has proposed a compound of up to RM30,000 per worker to be imposed against companies failing to provide jobs for foreign workers whom they recruit.
Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who presented the proposal in the Cabinet meeting yesterday, said the issue impacts all sectors, including the plantation sector, which is facing a labour shortage.
At a press conference held after the Plantation and Commodities Ministry gathering today, he said the proposed fines commensurate with the offences committed could also cover the costs of repatriating the foreign workers, currently being borne by the government.
“We must ensure that fines are imposed against these companies so they will not dare to bring in foreign workers if they cannot provide them jobs.
“This creates a bad image of the country,” Johari said, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim supports the proposal and wants the issue to be resolved quickly.
The minister added that he was compelled to present the proposal following media reports on December 25 regarding the detention of 171 foreign workers who were walking to the Bayu Damai Police Station in Pengerang, Johor, to lodge a report against their agent who allegedly failed to provide them with jobs.
— Bernama
