Fast permits and much lower costs.
Beginning Jan 1, you can apply online to the Immigration Department to hire maids directly.
If all necessary documents are provided along with the applications, permits will be issued within 16 working days, The Star reported Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali saying.
The nine countries employers can choose to hire domestic helpers directly are from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and the Philippines.
Employers still have the option of obtaining maids through agents, who charge between RM12,000 and RM18,000.
“If you do it on your own, it will be at a fraction of the cost, which can be about RM3,000 to RM4,000,” Mustafar was quoted as saying.
He added that the department has also decided not to extend the re-hiring programme after Dec 31, and cautioned employers to use the remaining days left to register their workers so that valid work permits can be issued to them.