KUCHING, March 28 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Timber Association (STA) has called on the state government to justify the high fees imposed under the Foreign Workers Transformation Approach (FWTA) system.
STA chairman Datuk Henry Lau Lee Kong expressed concern over the financial burden imposed by the FWTA, which adds RM1,854 per worker.
“When combined with the recent increase in the minimum wage to RM1,700 and the upcoming mandatory Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions for foreign workers, businesses are facing significant financial strain.
“While STA supports the streamlining efforts, the association has called for justification of the high fees,” he said in a statement following the STA Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025 held here today.
The FWTA system came into effect on January 15 this year.
On January 15, Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala was reportedly quoted as saying that a series of engagements had been held with industry representatives leading up to the government’s decision to implement the system.
According to Gerawat, the system is more efficient and transparent, especially in terms of processing work permits and it also helps in centralising data of all non-resident workers.
-- BERNAMA
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