THE move to allow employers to hire foreign domestic helpers directly from nine source countries without going through an agent could save up to 50% of the current cost, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid, who is also home minister, said the employers currently had to bear the entire cost of bringing the foreign domestic helpers ranging between RM12,000 and RM18,000 (per worker).

“There were instances where employers have to hire or change their domestic helpers three to four times a year, for various reasons, that they ended up paying up to RM80,000, while their annual income is not up to that level,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of Bagan Datuk – Kampung Sejagop Bridge in central Perak district here today.

While tabling 2018 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Prime Minister Najib Razak also announced that employers could apply for their foreign domestic helpers’ visa online from the Immigration Department, at the existing levy and processing fee rates.

Zahid further explained that employers could first apply for a 30-day social visit visa online for their foreign domestic helpers.

“Within the 30-day period, employers can apply online for Visit Pass-Temporary Employment (PLKS) to enable the foreigners to work as domestic helpers,” he said.

He said previously, potential employers who wanted to hire foreign domestic helpers from nine countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam and Bangladesh, had to go to the respective country on their own or hire an agent.

Asked about the security aspect involving the recruitment of foreign domestic helpers, Zahid said employers should not worry about the matter.

“The country has adequate security systems including Biometric systems, BioMedical and security scanning systems,” he said. – Bernama, October 28, 2017.