PUTRAJAYA: Operators of barber shops, textile shops and goldsmiths will be able to apply to employ foreign workers from Oct 10, following a government decision last month to lift a freeze imposed in 2009.
Human resources minister V Sivakumar said only those currently in business, and not new businesses, were eligible to apply for foreign workers, and the applicant must be registered with the Indian business chamber.
The government decided in September on a quota of 7,500 foreign workers for the three businesses, including the existing 5,000 foreign workers already present.
Sivakumar said no extension of the application would be allowed after the quota of 7,500 foreign workers is met, Bernama reported.
The number of foreign workers in goldsmith and textile shops may not exceed 15% of the number of Malaysian workers, for business premises with floor area ranging from 1,000 sq m to 5,000 sq m while smaller shops (200 sq m to 999 sq m) may employ three to four foreign workers.
Barbershop owners must possess a recognised Malaysian Skills Certificate. They are allowed to employ one Malaysian and two foreign workers for every three barber chairs in the premises.
Sivakumar said employers must comply with all provisions of the labour law, including providing accommodation certified by the labour department, pay a minimum wage of RM1,500 a month, and make contributions to the Social Security Organisation.