PUTRAJAYA: There is no restriction on Malaysians who wish to work overseas, but it is subject to the terms, conditions and legislation of the respective host countries, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

       He explained that there may be confusion over the alleged restrictions on Malaysians working overseas after the issue of the plantation sector workers scheme in Australia was raised in the Dewan Negara recently.

       On Oct 11, Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Awang Hashim told the Dewan Negara that Malaysia had decided not to adopt Australia’s Farm Labour Visa Scheme as it was geared towards offering permanent residency.

       Bernama quoted Saravanan as saying that the scenario in Australia and Malaysia was quite similar, with many local workers not interested in venturing into the plantation sector, which mainly involved 3D work (dangerous, dirty, difficult).

       In that regard, he said the Australian government introduced plantation visas to address the shortage of plantation sector workers.

       “However, Malaysia will not adopt Australia’s approach as it is geared towards offering permanent residency.

       “As such, this has nothing to do with restrictions for Malaysians to work abroad, including Australia,” he said, adding that an estimated 400,000 Malaysians are working in Singapore, Bernama reported.

       Saravanan said he had discussed with Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Dr Justin Lee on Sept 7 regarding the visa scheme in Australia as both countries faced the same problem, namely the lack of manpower in the plantation sector in their respective countries, as well as the high dependence on foreign labour in the sector.

       Australia introduced the scheme to address the shortage of workers in the agriculture and plantation sector which has received less response from local workers.

       It expects to provide employment opportunities for migrant workers to work for three years in the sector in Australia.