Applications to hire foreign workers have been stopped temporarily from Aug 15 to 31, the Human Resources Ministry of Malaysia said on Friday (Aug 5).

It is to enable a review of foreign worker procedures following the Employment (Amendment) Act 2022 that would be enforced from Sept 1, the ministry said in a statement.

"The new procedure for foreign worker applications beginning Sept 1, 2022 will be announced soon," it added.

Applications submitted by employers before or on Aug 14 would be processed and completed before or on Aug 31, 2022.

The Employment (Amendment) Act 2022 passed by Parliament in March involves the extension of maternity leave from 60 days to 98 days, restrictions to firing pregnant workers, as well as the introduction of paternity leave for married male workers.

Source: Bernama/The Star