The Home Ministry today refuted reports that 3,527 foreign workers, who have health record with ‘unfit’ status to work, is caused by infectious diseases such as tuberculosis or TB.

On the contrary, its secretary general Alwi Ibrahim said cases of foreign workers categorised as unfit but given temporary work permits were because it involved non-communicable diseases.

“We do not allow foreign workers infected by infectious diseases like TB to enter Malaysia due to the risks involved.

“However only non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure is allowed after the employer appealed. Such cases also get a second medical report from the clinic or hospital,” he told reporters after attending the chief secretary to the government with the media session following the 2015 Auditor-General’s Report Series 1 in Putrajaya today.

He said a special committee in the Immigration Department would evaluate and consider every case.

Employers were also required to write a letter that they would be responsible if any problems arise in the future, he said.

Alwi said these cases normally involved housemaids who needed to undergo annual health examination and categorised as unfit due to non-communicable diseases.

In the 2015 Auditor-General’s Report Series 1, it was revealed that in 2014, 3,527 out of the 699,018 foreign workers in peninsular Malaysia were given the temporary work permit despite the unfit status in their health record.

Meanwhile, Education Ministry deputy secretary general (Education Development) Azmi Lateh said the service of 19 security companies that failed to comply with its terms of service and agreement were terminated from last year until May.

“We will cooperate with the Home Ministry to continue monitoring security companies in schools,” he added.

- Bernama