Public advised to check with JTK before accepting job offers abroad - Mustapha

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The public is reminded to check with the Manpower Department (JTK) of the Ministry of Human Resources first before accepting a job that offers a lucrative salary abroad.

Deputy Minister of Human Resources Mustapha Sakmud said the move was important to avoid becoming a victim of fraud or human trafficking.

"There are parties who take advantage of the young people by offering them jobs, but in the end, they (job seekers) become victims of f human trafficking. My hope is for parents and all parties to be careful with employment agents, especially those offering jobs abroad," he told a press conference after visiting a factory owned by Ciba Vision Johor Sdn Bhd at Tanjung Pelepas Port here today.

Meanwhile, he said employers are required to ensure comfortable accommodation for their workers, as well as take care of their welfare.

Employers are required to comply with the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act (Act 446), he said, adding that JTK would continue to conduct raids on factories and employers to ensure that they do not mistreat their workers.

Regarding the application for the entry of foreign workers into the country through the Foreign Worker Employment Relaxation Plan, Mustapha said the move is expected to reduce bureaucracy which caused many applications to take a long time to be approved.

In January this year, the government established the Foreign Worker Employment Relaxation Plan to allow employers to hire foreign workers from 15 source countries based on their abilities and actual needs without having to go through employment qualification prerequisites and quota qualifications.

-- BERNAMA