Govt planning savings scheme for foreign workers to ensure they go home after 10 years

The government plans to introduce a savings scheme for foreign workers to address the problem of them not returning to their country of origin after the expiry of their 10-year temporary working visit pass (PLKS).

Human Resources Minister M Saravanan said the issue of foreign workers over-staying or refusing to return to their country of origin after their PLKS expired was because they did not have savings.

"This savings scheme needs to be implemented so that they have savings and the conditions will include that the savings can only be withdrawn in their country of origin after 10 years. So, like it or not, they will have to return home to claim their savings," he told reporters in Kajang today. 
 
However, Saravanan said the scheme might take time to implement as there were several matters that had to be looked into, including the indicators of forced labour under the International Labour Organisation.

Another was the ability of employers to meet the requirements, he added.

Meanwhile, he said that effective Sept 1, the entry of foreign workers, including skilled workers, must be approved by the Department of Manpower.

Details on the new procedures will be announced next week after the Cabinet meeting, he said, adding that this followed the amendments to the Employment Act 1955.