By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Jan 22: Sarawak’s drive towards a fully digitalised immigration and labour management ecosystem is set to enhance transparency and efficiency while reducing long-term costs for employers.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, immigration, and project monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala, said the initiative, developed under the Foreign Workers Transformation Approach (FWTA), reflects Sarawak’s commitment to leveraging technology for better governance in labour management.
“This event is a platform for (Immigration and Labour Management Unit) ILMU to receive feedback from the industries on this immigration and labour management ecosystem, especially on FWTA,” he said during the implementation briefing event of the FWTA system at Penview Convention Centre (PCC) Demak today.
The digital system promotes transparency by enabling employers to request only the quota of foreign workers they genuinely require, rather than applying for excess numbers. This prevents wastage and ensures resources are allocated efficiently.
Additionally, the initiative offers cost savings by consolidating various services into a single comprehensive fee of RM1,854 which includes the provision of a comprehensive immigration and labour management ecosystem in Sarawak and not just merely the processing fee.
The management ecosystem is part of a larger framework under the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, which mandates digitalisation across all agencies in Sarawak to improve service delivery.
It incorporates key components, including integrated labour offices across Sarawak, advanced technology applications, and robust infrastructure to support recruitment and management processes.
Gerawat highlighted the role of digitalisation in ensuring compliance with international labour standards and enhancing Sarawak’s image on the global stage.
“The compliance to these requirements and standards as provided under ILO (International Labour Organisation) and SLO (Sarawak Labour Ordinance) 2024 and the operationalisation of the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 are very important and significant in our effort to portray a better image and branding of Sarawak to the international communities, particularly in the management of foreign workers which is also crucial in our strategy to attract investment, business and even visitor to come to Sarawak,” he said.
In addition to improving efficiency, the initiative aims to curb illegal employment practices by introducing digital verification processes, including the use of Foreign Workers ID (FWID) cards, and conducting statewide enforcement through joint operations by relevant agencies.
Gerawat also emphasised the importance of industrial collaboration in refining the system.
“Constructive feedback from industries is always welcome for the betterment of our labour management and harmonious industrial relations in the state,” he added.
The digitisation initiative underlines Sarawak’s strategy to align with global standards, attract investment, and position itself as a competitive and transparent destination for business, in line with its aspiration to achieve developed status by 2030.
As of now, 287 companies have embraced the FWTA system since its inception on January 15, 2025.
Also attending the event are the president of Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) Dato Sri Abang Haji Abdul Karim Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Deputy Sarawak State Secretary (Administration) Datu Buckland Bangik, director of ILMU Richard Lon, director of Immigration Department of Malaysia, Sarawak, Haji Abdul Halim Abang Naili, and director of Sarawak Labour Department, Awang Raduan Awang Omar. –DayakDaily
