The first batch of 36 employers will receive their foreign domestic helpers via the Online Maid System (SMO) this week, said Immigration Department director-general Mustafar Ali.

He said the employers had completed the registration process and were now waiting for the approval of health screenings from the Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (Fomema).

“After obtaining the approval, the domestic helpers will be taken to the Immigration offices to have their biometric fingerprints taken, as well as for the printing of Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) and i-Kad.

“If Fomema can get it (approval) done by today, the 36 employers would be the first batch to have succeeded in hiring foreign domestic helpers through SMO,” he told a press conference after attending the Setia Berjasa New Year's Mandate ceremony and gathering in Putrajaya today.

Mustafar said the results of the health screening by Fomema would take between three and five days.

He said a total of 127,991 foreign domestic helpers were registered in the country as of Dec 31.

Until today, the SMO recorded 111,000 visitors with 3,141 employers were now registered users, said Mustafar.

“Of the 3,141 employers, 76 have completed the registration process. Of the number, 36 employers are waiting for the approval from Fomema.

“The employers’ willingness in providing complete documents have also facilitated the application process,” he explained.

Earlier in his speech, Mustafar said the department would implement a secondary screening on visitors from high-risk countries at all international airports in the country.

“We will conduct thorough checks on tourists, students or expatriates who enter (the country) via visas, biometric (fingerprint identification system) and passports,” he said, adding that the department would not compromise on security.

- Bernama