Your monthly guide to regulatory and workforce developments in Malaysia
New rules for employer responsibility at departure points
Malaysia has tightened enforcement of the Check-Out Memo process: employers must now be physically present when foreign workers leave the country. Failure to comply could lead to serious consequences, including being blacklisted from future quota applications.
At the same time, cross-sector transfers have officially been approved. This gives workers greater mobility across industries and allows employers more flexibility to hire from existing talent pools with proper approval.
Source: Business Today
Recruitment must be needs-based, not profit-driven
The Human Resources Minister reaffirmed Malaysia’s stance that foreign worker recruitment must serve actual industry needs—not commercial interests. This came after high-level discussions with Bangladeshi officials and ahead of the next Joint Working Group meeting in Dhaka.
Malaysia also reiterated its long-term strategy to encourage the hiring of local workers but also help build a more sustainable and competitive labour market, with a multi-tier levy system already in the works.
Source: Selangor Journal
Malaysia to recruit 7,964 previously stranded Bangladeshi workers
In a significant step forward, Malaysia has agreed to accept nearly 8,000 Bangladeshi workers who were stranded due to an earlier intake freeze—despite holding valid visas and having paid full migration costs.
This decision followed multiple technical meetings and marks a positive shift in bilateral labour cooperation.
Source: Channel News Asia
PERKESO expands coverage and charts roadmap for social protection
Malaysia’s social protection agency PERKESO has now extended coverage to over 85% of legally registered foreign workers. A roadmap is being developed to include harder-to-reach groups such as domestic workers and fishers.
This expansion is a strategic move that supports sustainability, economic growth, and long-term protection.
Source: ILO News
Visa forgery syndicate uncovered in Klang Valley
The Immigration Department dismantled a forgery ring that had been printing and selling fake visa and pass documents to undocumented migrants. Arrests included both foreign nationals and local civil servants. Authorities also seized over 100 passports from countries including Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Ghana.
This operation underscores the importance of working with licensed, transparent workforce providers to avoid legal exposure and reputational damage.
Source: Bernama
Osadi: Your Partner in Workforce Management
At Osadi, we are committed to supporting our clients through these regulatory changes. We’re here to ensure your workforce remains efficient, compliant, and future-ready. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for personalized assistance as we navigate 2025 together.
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