Saifuddin said, previously, Putrajaya only allowed foreign workers to change employers within the same industry, on condition that their initial employer was facing restructuring, closure, expansion, or they were allowed to do so by the labour department.

“With today’s decision, foreign workers are allowed to apply for a change of employer across employment sectors. This change in policy would not only benefit the government but also employers and foreign workers.

“Additionally, this is a best practice advised by international organisations related to labour. It has been practised by other developing nations,” he said in a statement.

Saifuddin also announced that the employers themselves must now be present at international exit points to manage the departure of their migrant workers, just like they do for the entry of their foreign employees.

He warned that failure to comply with this new rule could lead to restrictions on new quota applications and other matters related to immigration.

The minister issued the statement following a meeting on the management of foreign workers which he co-chaired with human resources minister Steven Sim.