On 27 October 2010, Mr. Singhadej Chu-amnart Minister Counsellor (Labour), Office of Labour Affairs in Malaysia, paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Ahmad bin Ismall, Director of Foreign workers Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia , and discussed on the issuance of massage therapist license.
According to the talk, Mr. Ahmad had confirmed that Malaysia have temporarily suspended the issuance of massage therapist license to foreign workers. Moreover, there is no policy regarding the period of this suspension. For the cause of the suspension, it found that the massage service was provided with other purposes which are against country’s religious and good morals. Also, it affected Malaysian family institutions.
However, workers who hold the existing licenses can apply for the annual permit renewals for 5 times and the total is 5 year. After 5 years, workers have to return to Thailand and the employers must apply for new work permit. On the other hand, if the policy is still imposed, it will render employers unable to apply for new work permit and the employment will also be illegitimate. As a result of the policy, it will reduce the amount of lawful workers (workers will return Thailand when the legal status of each has expired). On a contrary, the amount of illegal workers will increase because of the attractive rates of service.
Therefore, Office of Labour Affairs in Malaysia would like to inform workers that the illegal workers will be arrested and be liable to a custodial sentence of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 3,000 Ringgit (about 3,000 Baht) or both of them.
However, Office of Labour Affairs in Malaysia has continuously promoted good image of Thai massage in order to enlighten Malaysian people and government officers for a better understanding of Thai traditional massage. Also, the office has campaigned Thai massage therapists who are currently working at Malaysia to mutually protect a good reputation of Thai traditional massage by working as a professional within the realm of law.
