2010/07/30


By Farrah Naz Karim


PUTRAJAYA: The blitz on employers who hire illegal foreign workers, which was shelved earlier this year, is back.

The first to be busted was a furniture manufacturer in Subang, who was caught on Wednesday employing 66 illegal immigrants.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Abu Seman Yusop said Immigration enforcers would be going after employers who commit offences under sections 55B, 55E and 56 (1)(d) of the Immigration Act.


Hiring more than five foreigners without valid passes or travel documents is an offence under section 55B. Employers could face a jail term of not more than five years and whipped up to six times.

Those who hire fewer than five workers could face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a 12-month jail term or both for each worker.

Those who allow illegal immigrants to enter or remain at his premises could be prosecuted under section 55E. These employers could be fined between RM5,000 and RM30,000 or face 12 months' jail or both for each illegal immigrant.


Abu Seman said the department would also hunt down those who harbour foreigners known to have contravened the Immigration Act (as mentioned in section 56 (1)(d)), adding that they faced fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000 for each illegal immigrant they harbour.

If the number under their roof exceeds five people, they could also be whipped up to six times and jailed up to five years.

Abu Seman said the nationwide crackdown would cover all sectors that engaged foreign workers. But unlike previous operations, officers would not go to households to check on maids.


He warned employers that if they were caught breaking the law, they could be blacklisted by the ministry and be barred from hiring foreign workers, including maids.

He also cautioned employers to check on the legal status of workers from employment companies. Claiming ignorance, Abu Seman said, was not an excuse.

Errant employers, however, could find an easier way out if they owned up and arranged for the repatriation of their illegal workers. In this case, they would be let off with just a maximum RM3,000 compound.

They would also have to show the department their illegal workers' one-way ticket home.


Read more: Crackdown on bosses with illegal workers http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/14isx/Article/#ixzz0v8TP3P4w