Earlier today, immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud reportedly said employers had six hours to receive their foreign workers at KLIA, adding that in certain circumstances that period would be extended.

He said the workers would be sent back to their home countries immediately should employers fail to comply with this policy.

MEF president Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the six-hour window was too short, noting that Khairul did not specify how long the extension of time would be.

He said the policy also did not specify who could represent the employers to receive the foreign workers at the airport.

“Can the employers be represented by directors, managers, human resources officers, or appointed agents authorised to receive the workers?” he asked in a statement.

“MEF calls for further clarity on the new policy so that hitches will be minimised when it is implemented.”

Syed Hussain also said sending workers back to their home countries would pose problems for employers who were already facing a manpower shortage and had paid a lot of money to take in workers.

“I call on the immigration department to hold discussions with the relevant stakeholders before the new policy on receiving new foreign workers at KLIA is implemented.”