Permits for FGV’s foreign workers renewed, only 549 pending levy payment

Immigration director-general Ruslin Jusoh denied that his department is holding 10,000 passports belonging to FGV’s foreign workers pending approval of the permits. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The immigration department has yet to issue 549 renewed work permits for foreign workers employed by FGV Holdings Bhd, as the department is waiting for the company to settle their levy payments, says director-general Ruslin Jusoh.

He said this number was among the 1,787 permits that have been approved, with 1,238 already issued to the workers concerned.

“I am aware that there have been some technical issues between FGV and MyEG, resulting in delayed levy payments. However, I leave this issue to be sorted out by both parties.

“All in all, everything is progressing smoothly and the remaining applications can be processed immediately, provided (there is) prompt cooperation from FGV,” he told FMT.

The government has appointed MyEG Services Bhd to process online applications for workers’ permits.

Ruslin was commenting on an FMT report last week in which FGV had dismissed claims that 10,000 of its foreign workers have experienced delays in the renewal of their work permits, saying only 2,101 employees were affected.

The agribusiness and food company said the delay was due to a backlog in the immigration department’s processing of applications and the issuance of check-out memos for workers to return home.

NGOs and activist Andy Hall recently claimed that 10,000 passports belonging to FGV workers were being held by immigration pending the renewal of their work permits.

The workers also complained that the company had prevented them from returning home after completing their contracts.

“I deny Hall’s accusation that the department is holding 10,000 passports belonging to FGV’s foreign workers pending approval of the permits. This claim is uncalled for,” Ruslin said.

He agreed that the initial backlog was caused by permits that were not renewed since the implementation of the movement control order during the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, he said that FGV approached the department last June and requested special assistance to resolve this problem, adding that he welcomed such requests and is committed to accommodating the critical need for foreign workers, especially in the plantation sector.

“Through a series of discussions, it became clear to us that the work permits had not been renewed during the MCO. I quickly instructed the relevant director to establish a special task force to handle FGV’s applications,” he said.

Ruslin denied that the department has delayed issuing check-out memos for FGV workers intending to return to their home countries.

“We wish to emphasise that there have been no delays in this matter. It is a priority for the department to process check-out memos as quickly as possible to facilitate the departure of foreign workers from Malaysia,” he said.