KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 3): The ministry of human resources has extended the employment permit for foreign workers holding the Visit Pass — Temporary Employment (PLKS) for the past 10 years, to a maximum of another three years. 

In a statement today, Human Resources Mnister M. Kulasegaran said the extension of work permits to foreign workers holding PLKS will be implemented starting Oct 1. 

"The extension is only for a maximum of three years and the passes have to be renewed every year," he said, noting the extension will enable employers to retain skilled foreign workers.  

However, it noted foreign workers may not be eligible to apply for entrance permit, permanent residence or Malaysian citizenship. 

Since 1992, levy payments for foreign workers had been implemented by the government and fully borne by the workers themselves.

But on March 25, 2016, the Cabinet had decided that the levy, amounting to RM10,000 per worker per year, would be paid by employers from Jan 1.

On Aug 29, the government agreed to extend the validity period of employment to foreign workers holding PLKS, and has reached the 10th year of employment.

“This only applies to foreign workers in formal sectors such as manufacturing, construction, plantation, services, agriculture, mining and quarries," Kulasegaran said. 

“The levy is not imposed in frozen sectors and companies that require outsourcing,” he added.