HOME Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has been asked to consider extending the existing Temporary Employment Visit Pass for the textile, barber and goldsmith sub-sector, which will expire in March.

Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar said he had discussed the issue with Saifuddin.

“The unity government is concerned with the request of local employers for the reopening of the textile, barber and goldsmith sub-sector for the employment of foreign workers.

“The three sub-sectors have been frozen and completely closed for the employment of foreign workers since 2019, he said in a statement today.

Sivakumar said there is a process that needs to be followed concerning any government policy regarding the employment of foreign workers. It needs to be brought up at the joint committee level of the Home Affairs Ministry and Human Resources Ministry.

“Any recommendations from this Joint Committee meeting will then be presented for consideration and approval by the Cabinet before any announcement regarding the reopening of these three sectors can be implemented,” he said.

He said any government policy related to the employment of foreign workers including the freezing or reopening of a sector or sub-sector will take into account the current situation as well as the actual needs of employers. – Bernama, March 24, 2023.