Everything Malaysian employers need to know about the Labour Recalibration Program

Earlier this year, the Malaysian government launched the Labour Recalibration Programme as part of the Illegal Immigrant Recalibration Plan which also consists of the Return Recalibration Programme.

While the Return Recalibration Programme allows illegal immigrants to return to their country voluntarily, the Labour Recalibration Programme is aimed at regularising illegal immigrants in the country as foreign workers legally employed by eligible employers.

According to an FAQ document released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) yesterday, this process is subject to strict conditions decided by the Government through the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) and the Department of Labour of Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM).

The document, shared on KDN's Facebook page yesterday, shared everything Malaysian employers need to know about the Labor Recalibration Program, from the terms of the programme, eligibility criteria, cost needed, and more. Details summarised below.

Who is eligible to participate in the programme?

Employer eligibility criteria are as follows: 

• Only employers from the manufacturing, construction, agriculture and plantation are able to participate.
• It is subject to the quota approved by JTKSM.
• Employers are compliant with the conditions of employment of foreign workers. For instance, levy payments, pass eligibility and more. 
• Employers are not in the suspected list or blacklist.

Foreign workers must meet the following criteria: 

• Holder of Social Visit Pass (PLS), Work Visit Pass While (PLKS) includes Foreign Maids who have committed an offense under Section 15 (1) (c) i.e. stayed for a longer duration under the Immigration Act 1959/63 on or before 31 December 2020.
• PLKS holders who violate the terms pass under Regulation 39 (b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 whose pass is still valid on or before 31 December 2020.
• The worker did not run away from their employers.
• The worker must be from the following countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Turksmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, India, and Indonesia.
• Not in suspected list and blacklist.
• Have a valid country of origin travel document at least 18 months.
• Has a negative result slip for the COVID-19 test made within three (3) days before the appointment date.

Programme cost

The programme involves a deposit of RM500 per foreign employee, recalibration fees of RM1,500 per every foreign employee, as well as other fees including: 

• FOMEMA examination
• A levi of RM1,850 for the manufacturing and construction sector, and RM640 for the plantation and agriculture sector.
• RM125 processing fee
• RM60 for PLKS
• Visa fees depending on the citizenship of the worker.

Payment of fees should be made by either credit or debit card, cash payment is not accepted.

Programme duration

This programme started on 16 November 2020, and is planned to end on 30 June 2021.

Does the program involve vendors or third parties?

This program is run entirely by JIM and JTKSM with no involvement of vendors or third parties.

Are Sabah and Sarawak included in the programme? 

No. This program is only for Peninsular Malaysia.

How can employers participate in this programme?

Employers need to submit an application letter, with complete attachments, via email rekalibrasi@imi.gov.my to participate in the programme. The employer will be contacted by the Malaysian Immigration Department for the next process.

The information required for the application are:

Company information

• Company name
• ROC / SSM number
• Phone number
• Address
• Sector applied for

Information about the foreign worker

• Employee Name
• Passport number
• Citizenship
• Gender
• Latest Pass Expiry Date

What else do employers need to do?

Other actions employers can take at the same time are: 

Verification of the individual: JIM will contact the employer to go to the JIM Enforcement Division with the individual where the employer is able to obtain verification documents. 

Submit recalibration certificate: The recalibration certificate can be submitted online via the Integrated Foreign Worker Management System (ePPAx) through website of the Department of Manpower Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) through the website www.eppax.gov.my under JTKSM.

Online appointments to be made for counter service at the Inspectorate Unit of Expatriate Services Division

According to a notice released by MYXpats Centre, the counters at the Inspectorate Unit of Immigration Department of Malaysia are back in operation. However, appointments will have to be made through MYHelp Appointment via ESD Online. 

No walk-ins will be allowed without a confirmed appointment made via the ESD online. 

This includes matters related to the Inspectorate Unit, such as: 

• Company Registration / Letter of Undertaking (LOU)
• Change of email request / Forgot email password / Technical issues
• Company Projection matters
• Naziran enquiries
• Cancellation/ Shorten Pass/ Account Suspension
• Other matters related to company registration

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