Employer Group Requests Clear Wage Guidelines for Foreign Workers

The Malaysian Industrial Commercial & Service Employers Association (MICSEA) is urging the Ministry of Human Resources to issue clear guidelines on when employers must start paying wages to foreign workers.

This comes after a court ruling required an employer to pay over RM760,000 in back wages to workers who arrived in Malaysia but were not given work. The court decided that wages must be paid from the moment workers enter the country, not when work begins.

MICSEA said employers face challenges with recruitment procedures, accommodation, and administrative requirements, and clearer rules are needed to avoid confusion and unintended penalties. They also highlighted delays in approvals and worker shortages affecting many industries.

MICSEA stated they are ready to work with the government to create a fair and sustainable system for both employers and foreign workers.