First batch of Cambodian workers to arrive in June

PUTRAJAYA: The first batch of Cambodian workers who are expected to take up vacancies in Malaysia's six main job sectors including domestic helpers will arrive in the country by June 1.
Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Dr Richard Riot said the acceptance of foreign workers from the neighbouring Asean country is part of fulfilling the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the recruitment and employment of Cambodian workers signed by both countries on Dec 10, 2015.
The Cambodian workers are expected to be drafted into six job sectors including manufacturing, plantation, construction, services, agriculture and foreign maids.
When asked on the number of workers expected to arrive in the country, Riot said the numbers for the first batch is presently being determined by the Cambodian government.
"However, the government has set that each worker will have to take part in the pre-departure training program in Cambodia according to the module set by the ministry's Skills Development Department," he told reporters after attending the Bilateral Meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Dr Ith Samheng, here, today.
The meeting, he added aims to finalise and iron out further details on the recruitment and subsequent employment process of Cambodian workers into the country.
In 2011, Cambodia had banned the sending of maids to Malaysia following widespread complaints of abuse by their workers including overwork, salary disputes as well as physical and sexual assault.
Despite signing the memorandum in 2015, both countries suffered delays in the rollout of their plans due to procedural matters.