The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas said that more test are require for overseas Filipinos bound to Malaysia.

Malaysia stringent policy requires foreign workers to undergo compulsory medical examinations at least twice during their first year of stay in that country. 

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Kuala Lumpur informed the labor department about the new policy of Malaysia.

Under the new policy, foreign workers are required for a third medical checkup at the end of their second year of stay in Malaysia. The new Malaysian immigration policy also applies to foreign workers who have been staying in Malaysia.

According to Undersecretary Manuel Imson, Labor spokesman, new requirement will ensure that all foreign workers in Malaysia are free from contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis B, syphilis and Human Immune Virus or Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome.

The said new policy of Malaysia was praised by Sto. Tomas saying it would be beneficial to the migrant workers.

“It raises the OFWs’ awareness on the need to protect themselves from contamination against dreaded diseases that may jeopardize their employment in Malaysia.”

Kuala Lumpur-based labor attaché Josephus Jimenez said a recent random check showed that 40,000 immigrant workers were carriers of contagious diseases.

There are 2.3 million registered immigrant workers, including 500,000 undocumented aliens in Malaysia.

Jimenez added that the new policy is part of efforts of the Malaysian government to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and protect its people.