Foreigners to undergo 4 medical checks
Published on: Friday, August 18, 2017
Kuala Lumpur: All registered foreign workers will have to undergo compulsory periodical medical check-ups from next January, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.The Deputy Prime Minister said this new ruling had to be implemented to stop contagious diseases from spreading locally.Starting from January 1, 2018, it is compulsory for foreign workers to undergo four health examinations – prior to their departure, within one month upon arrival in Malaysia and at the end of their first and second year, with additional follow up health examinations every two years.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr Ahmad Zahid added that foreign workers will have to undergo medical screening within 30 days after arriving in Malaysia."This extra health screening is vital and all workers will have to undergo major health screening every once in two years," he said in a written press statement issued by his Ministry before chairing the Cabinet Committee Meeting on Foreign Workers and Illegal Immigrants here on Thursday. A progressive levy would also be implemented by 2019 in a bid to discourage the hiring of foreign workers. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said employers preferred to hire foreigners if the levy remains too low.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The suggestion on progressive levy increment and the creation of a more conducive and competitive environment was made and agreed upon to increase the employment of locals," said Zahid.Foreign workers would also be subjected to more health checks to stem the rise of infectious diseases in the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The government has made it easier for the employment of foreign workers through the integrated foreign worker management system (ePPAx) and online application for employment of foreign workers (SPPA), which have been operating since April this year."I hope there are no more problems arising from hiring foreign workers and the involvement of middlemen can end soon." The number of legal foreign workers decreased to 1.758 million as of July 31, compared with 2.135 million at the end of 2015.Eight issues were brought up in the committee meeting on improving the employment of foreign workers and the new levy rate by the Ministry of Human Resources. The Health Ministry suggested increasing medical checks while the Ministry of International Trade and Industry suggested the temporary placement of foreign workers in the manufacturing sector under the factory-in-factory concept.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
