Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) said all foreign worker quota applications are now fully processed through the eQuota module in the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS), ending case-by-case foreign worker quota approvals.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan stated that this change follows the Cabinet's decision on July 1 to transfer the Foreign Worker Management One-Stop Centre (OSC) under KESUMA's jurisdiction. This new governance structure aims to ensure that industries applying for manpower do not experience disruptions in their operational chain.
Ramanan emphasized the elimination of case-by-case approvals during a special press conference, explaining that once engagement sessions are completed, regulatory agencies will notify the OSC for consideration, and approvals will be granted in a straightforward manner. He reported that as of this morning, 22,476 applications from 548 companies had been recorded in the system, surpassing the previously announced number of 19,000 applications.
Furthermore, Ramanan clarified that KESUMA has complete control over the FWCMS system, including the source code and super admin access, which is managed by the KESUMA secretary-general. This addresses any concerns regarding the ministry's access to the system.
The press conference was attended by Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, KESUMA secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, and deputy secretary-general (Operations) Sutekno Ahmad Belon. Ramanan also highlighted that employers must prioritize local workers by obtaining approval under Section 60K of the Employment Act 1955 and advertising vacancies on the MyFutureJobs portal before applying for a foreign worker quota if no suitable local candidates are available.
Additionally, Ramanan announced that the Cabinet has approved the establishment of a transit centre to accommodate newly arrived foreign workers in Malaysia while they await their employers for workplace placement. This initiative is intended to alleviate airport congestion, ensure workers are collected by the appropriate employers, and prevent abuse once they enter the country.
Despite the OSC's transition to KESUMA, Ramanan noted that the authority to issue work passes or permits remains with the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) due to national security considerations. While KESUMA will process applications, the final approval for issuing passes or work permits will be managed by KDN.