The employer must first obtain approval from the Local Centre of Approval at the Ministry of Home Affairs to hire foreign workers to work for Malaysian subsidiaries. Only companies operating in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, plantation and services industries may be approved to hire foreign workers. This application may be done through the Foreign Worker One-Stop Approval Centre.

Once the application has been submitted, an interview takes place with the employer or authorized representative from the Ministry for the company’s particular sector. If the application is successful, payment must be lodged within 48 hours from the time of approval, where a conditional letter of approval is provided to the employer to allow hiring of foreign workers.

The most important of these is that foreign workers provide labor whenever and wherever it is needed. Foreign workers contribute to the Malaysian economy by providing either skilled or unskilled labor. Labor is much required in the manufacturing industry of Malaysia in order to ensure its continuity and growth. Many foreign workers are also employed in the agricultural sector of Malaysia. Other industries of Malaysia which also employ relatively high numbers of foreigners are the construction industry, the wholesale retail industry, and the accommodation industry.

The contributions of foreign workers also drive Malaysia’s economic growth. Through the contributions of these foreigners, particularly in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors as well as other sectors that do not necessarily require skilled labor, the country is able to produce much as well as export its products to other markets. As a result, the country’s economy is able to continue growing. Therefore, foreign workers are of great importance, not only to their employers but also towards the economic growth of the entire nation.