Malaysia issues 2,485 temporary work permits to Chinese nationals in Johor

According to Bernama, the Malaysian Immigration Department has issued 2,485 temporary work permits as well as 1,682 employment and professional visit passes to Chinese employees of four construction projects in Johor, including the Forest City project in Gelang Patah.

The permits and passes were processed after the Human Resources Ministry granted a quota approval. Upon completion of the construction projects, all the workers will return to their country of origin.

"The applications by major construction companies were made following reports of an influx of Chinese workers, hired allegedly without valid procedures being followed. This issue stemmed from unscrupulous agents and individuals acting as middlemen in bringing in the workers," said State Unity and Human Resources Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan in his speech for his portfolio at the 13th Johor State Legislative Assembly on Sunday.

Last week, The Star Online reported workers from China were stranded at the Senai International Airport, coming to work on construction jobs which do not exist.

Based on the report, the workers had paid between RM12,000 and RM38,000 each to an agent who promised them high-paying jobs at a construction site in Johor.

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