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29. The Independent Committee recommends a policy that should routinely allow and
facilitate the employment of foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens. This policy is to be
extended to cover foreign spouses of expatriates to ensure consistency. A module to integrate
the approval process into the online system and database is to be developed.

30. The Independent Committee recommends that stateless persons should be registered
and given identities, the opportunities and the right to work just like for refugees which will
serve to provide them financial independence and safeguard them from being exploited in
forced labour situations. An online application module is to be developed to integrate the
approval process into the foreign worker system and database, which will allow a Smart ID to
be generated to legitimised stateless persons’ right to work.

31. The Independent Committee recommends the development of a module to integrate
into the online system for registering and approving foreign students to take up employment
as interns and trainees. A transparent process will prevent abuses by employers to keep
labour costs down and take away jobs that can be filled by Malaysians.

32. The Independent Committee has received complaints of harassment and solicitation of
payments and other unethical practices by law enforcement officials against foreign workers
and employers. The Independent Committee recommends that the Government take
immediate steps to clampdown on these unethical and illegal practices.

33. The Independent Committee recommends that foreign workers should have
meaningful access to justice and that barriers to accessing justice in our administrative, civil
and criminal justice systems should be addressed. The Committee recommends that foreign
workers should be eligible for Biro Bantuan Guaman (BBG) and Yayasan Bantuan Guaman
Kebangsaan (YBGK) assistance.

34. The Independent Committee recommends that Occupational Safety and Health
Measures be improved across the board for all workers. Enhanced training and support be
provided to employers and workers in OSH processes and procedures. Breaches of OSHA be
dealt with in an effective and meaningful manner for better protection of vulnerable foreign
workers.

35. The Independent Committee recommends that the physical and mental health of
foreign workers need to be addressed in a comprehensive manner. An Insurance Scheme for
medical expenses outside the SOCSO scheme should be provided for foreign workers. The
issue of the high costs of medical care for foreign workers at the public health system
locations should be addressed. It is recommended that there be parity in healthcare costs for
foreign workers, refugees and locals in the public healthcare system.

36. The Independent Committee notes that undue dependence on foreign workers has
held back industry from automating and investing in innovative production equipment and
process to increase productivity and to move into higher value output of goods and services.
Therefore the Independent Committee recommends that the Government provide incentives
for industries that rely on foreign workers to automate and invest in innovative production
equipment and processes.

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