Starting from July 1, the maximum employment period limit for work permit holders is lifted. They can also work until the age of 63, while new work permit applicants cannot exceed 61 years old.

Taking into account industry demand, the government has also expanded the list of non-traditional source of migrant workers, allowing the hiring of migrant workers from Bhutan, Cambodia and Laos from September 1, as well as increasing industries where migrant workers can engage in, such as chefs and heavy vehicle drivers.

Dr. Chen Shilong, Minister of Human Resources and Second Minister of Trade and Industry, made the announcement Thursday (March 6) when he participated in the Ministry of Human Resources Expenditure Budget Debate on the Congressional Appropriations Committee. He noted that the adjustment was to allow experienced workers at the prime working age to continue to be employed and to uniformly redeem retirement ages for foreign and local employees.

“Through these changes, employers can retain workers who are still able to contribute, experienced,” he said.

Currently, employment periods for work permit holders are limited to 14 to 26 years depending on the specific industry, nationality and whether they are skilled workers. They can only work until the age of 60, and new applicants cannot be over 50 years old (non-Borrowed in Malaysia) or 58 years old (non-Borrowed in Malaysia).

Further reading

[Parliament]The monthly entry threshold for top professional passes was issued last year with 3,000 employment passes. This year, the monthly entry threshold will not be adjusted.

[Parliament]The monthly entry threshold for top professional passes was issued last year with 3,000 employment passes. This year, the monthly entry threshold will not be adjusted.

[Parliament]Chen Shilong: 400 million yuan of enterprise labor transformation support support work and other measures such as redesign of supporting work for enterprises

[Parliament]Chen Shilong: 400 million yuan of enterprise labor transformation support support work and other measures such as redesign of supporting work for enterprises

Chen Shilong also said that in order to meet the human resources needs of enterprises during the transformation period, the government will extend the support period of the Economic Strategic Human Resources Program (M-SEP) to three years, and send employees to companies that work overseas or participate in the leadership training program can also hire more S passes and work pass employees.

Singapore Progress Party non-constituency MP Pan Qunqin suggested that companies that promote inclusive employment should be allowed to obtain more foreign employee quotas, and Chen Shilong said he would study it carefully.