KUCHING: A decision on any review of foreign worker fees under the Foreign Worker Transformation Approach (FWTA) will only be made after ongoing discussions with the relevant parties.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said discussions are currently being held between Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala and the organisations involved before any final decision is reached.
“We are still in discussions because there are contractual obligations based on the terms in the contracts.
“What we are doing now is discussing the matter with the companies involved and assessing the situation due to the current economic conditions,” he told reporters after witnessing the contract signing ceremony between PTTEP and Brooke Holding Sdn Bhd here Tuesday.
Abang Johari said the state government may consider restructuring the rates for the benefit of the private sector rather than simply reducing them.
“Perhaps the government will consider not merely lowering the rates, but looking at how we can restructure the rates for the use of the private sector,” he said.
Previously, during the Sarawakku Sayang programme in Bintulu, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government was reviewing the rates related to the implementation of the FWTA.
He said negotiations on the matter had already taken place and a review was being carried out before the approach is implemented after the current period ends.
“Datuk Gerawat Gala will explain further. There have indeed been negotiations for us to review the rates involved.
“What can be done is for us to first look into the contracts and study them carefully,” he had said.
