17 000 Applications To Employ Illegal Migrant Workers

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Undocumented migrant workers are allowed to be employed legally in the construction, manufacturing, plantations and agriculture sectors.PETALING JAYA: The human resources ministry has received 17,292 applications from 113 employers to absorb foreign workers under the recently announced Illegal Immigrant Recalibration Plan.
The ministry said the government had not appointed any third parties to manage the plan’s two policies – the Labour Recalibration Programme and the Return Recalibration Programme – which started on Nov 16 and will run until June 30 next year.
“Monitoring will be done from time to time to ensure the implementation of the plan is not exploited by any irresponsible party,” it said in a statement today.
“We take this matter seriously and will investigate those who take advantage of the plan to manipulate employers or illegal immigrants.”
The ministry said that under the Private Employment Agencies Act 1981 (Act 246), those found guilty may be fined up to RM200,000, imprisoned for up to three years, or both.
Announced by Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin on Nov 12, the plan is a joint effort between the human resources ministry, through its Labour Department, and the Immigration Department.
Hamzah had said the freeze on new foreign workers is going on. “The plan is for illegal immigrants in the country who wish to work legally and for those who want to return to their countries of origin to do so.”
The Labour Recalibration Programme is open to employers in the construction, manufacturing, plantations and agriculture sectors.
It would turn illegal immigrants into legal foreign workers, employed by qualified employers, subject to strict conditions.
Illegal immigrants may voluntarily return to their home countries, subject to set conditions, under the Return Recalibration Programme.
The government is expected to collect RM95 million in compound fines and other payments imposed on illegal immigrants and employers. - FMT

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