Malaysia - Spouses of Employment Pass Holders Permitted to Work; Permits Foundation Applauds New Regulations

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Immigration Department has published new
regulations that allow spouses on a Dependent Pass to take paid employment
after obtaining an endorsement in their passport by the Immigration
Department. They no longer need their own Employment Pass or Visit Pass
Temporary Employment.

A job offer is required and the employer needs to have
approval from the relevant authority (MIDA, MDEC, Central Bank of Malaysia,
Securities Commission or Public Service Department of Malaysia).

At the same time, husbands of Employment Pass holders may now
apply for a Dependant Pass. Previously, they were only eligible for a Long
Term Social Visit Pass.

The changes are published at:
www.imi.gov.my/eng/perkhidmatan/im_PegawaiDagang.asp#new

“Given that dual careers are increasingly important, these
changes will make it easier for companies in Malaysia to attract highly
skilled international employees,” said Jonathan Kohn, chairman of Permits
Foundation Malaysia network and HR director of Shell Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.

Permits Foundation is a global corporate initiative that
promotes open work permits for the spouses of international staff worldwide.

With its latest change, Malaysia joins a growing number of
best practice countries that recognise the needs of spouses in their work
permit policies. Singapore has a similar policy to that introduced in
Malaysia. Hong Kong, The UK, Australia, Canada, France, The Netherlands and
other countries allow accompanying spouses to work for any employer, or be
self-employed, during the assignment.

“Making it easier for spouses to work means that they too can
contribute to the local economy,” said Melini Mahmud, regional employee
support manager for Schlumberger in Brunei, Malaysia and Phillippines.
“Malaysian international staff and their families benefit from similar
arrangements when they are posted abroad,” she added.

“We will be expressing our thanks to the Immigration
Department of Malaysia and Permits Foundation will continue to raise the
issue with governments in other countries in Asia and worldwide,” added
Jonathan Kohn.

www.PermitsFoundation.com

Source: Permits Foundation

For further information, contact: International enquiries: Kathleen van der Wilk-Carlton, PermitsFoundation at shell.com, Tel +31-70-3191930; Malaysia enquiries: Jonathan Kohn, chairman of Permits Foundation Malaysia network and HR director of Shell Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Jonathan.j.kohn at shell.com, Tel +603-2091-3845.