PUTRAJAYA: In a move aimed at improving accountability and transparency, employers in Malaysia are now required to personally oversee the departure of their foreign workers when they return to their home countries.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail shared the update today following a joint meeting between the Home Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry.
“We’ve agreed to tighten the process involving the Check Out Memo for foreign workers,” Saifuddin explained. “From now on, employers must be physically present at international exit points to manage and verify their workers’ departure—just like they’re already required to do when bringing workers into the country.”
The government hopes this measure will help reduce cases of undocumented workers staying beyond their permitted time. Employers who fail to comply may face consequences, such as being blocked from applying for new worker quotas or other immigration services.
In a related announcement, the government also greenlit a major policy shift regarding worker transfers.
“Previously, foreign workers could only be transferred between employers within the same sector, and even then, only under special circumstances like company closures or expansions,” Saifuddin said. “With this new policy, employers can now apply for transfers across different sectors.”
He added that this change would not only make things more flexible for businesses but also improve the welfare and mobility of foreign workers.
“This is in line with international labour standards and reflects practices already adopted in many developed countries,” he said. “We urge all employers to take note and follow the new guidelines.”
