JTKSM Licence C · No. 657 · Est. 2018
Manufacturing Sector · Quota Ratio Up to 32.5%

Foreign worker recruitment for manufacturing in Malaysia

Production operators, line assemblers, machine technicians, and QC staff — sourced, screened, and placed for electronics, FMCG, plastics, and automotive component manufacturers under full KDN quota and JTKSM compliance.

32.5%Max Foreign Headcount Ratio
RM1,850Annual Levy Rate
15Approved Source Countries
99%Compliance Rate
Roles We Fill

Manufacturing Roles We Recruit For

Production Operators

Line assembly, packing, and machine‑tending roles across electronics and FMCG manufacturing.

Machine Technicians

Equipment operation and basic maintenance support for production lines.

Quality Control Staff

Inspection and QC assistants trained to your product‑specific standards.

Warehouse & Logistics Support

Material handling and inventory support integrated with production floors.

Sector‑Specific Compliance

What Manufacturing Employers Need to Know

Foreign Worker Ratio Cap

Manufacturing sub‑sectors are generally capped at up to 32.5% foreign headcount of total workforce — we conduct a workforce ratio analysis before submitting your quota application.

RBA/SMETA Exposure

Electronics and FMCG manufacturers are frequently subject to RBA and SMETA audits from global buyers — we structure recruitment and payroll to be audit‑ready from day one.

FAQ

Manufacturing Recruitment FAQ

Which source countries are typically approved for manufacturing roles?
Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh are legally approved for manufacturing in Peninsular Malaysia. Indonesian male workers currently face restrictions in this sector — see our source countries guide for the full breakdown.
How does the foreign worker ratio cap affect our quota application?
KDN assesses your total headcount against the sector cap before approving new quota. We calculate your current ratio and advise on the maximum additional foreign headcount available before submission.
What does RBA mean, and why does it matter for manufacturing employers?
RBA stands for the Responsible Business Alliance (formerly the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition), a global standard covering labour, health & safety, ethics, and environmental practices across electronics and related supply chains. SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is a related but separate ethical-audit methodology many buyers also require. Manufacturers supplying RBA-member brands are typically expected to recruit under the Employer Pays Principle — no recruitment fees charged to workers — and to keep documentation ready for RBA/SMETA social audits. We structure recruitment and payroll to stay audit-ready against both standards.
Related Resources

Additional Compliance & Workforce Guides

Permit Renewal (PLKS)

Step‑by‑step guidance on renewing Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara permits for foreign workers.

Learn more

Payroll & Statutory Compliance

Integrating levy payments with EPF, SOCSO, and statutory deductions for full compliance.

Learn more

Workforce Management

Comprehensive solutions for managing foreign worker quotas, recruitment, and compliance processes.

Learn more

Scale Your Manufacturing Workforce Compliantly

Share your headcount and role mix — we’ll manage quota, sourcing, and compliance end‑to‑end.