Poor response to rehiring plan
Only 1,088 of 50,000 illegal Indonesian and Filipino workers registered
The six-month Rehiring Sabah 2017 programme for employers to register their illegal workers has seen a poor response, with Immigration expecting to begin a statewide crackdown when the deadline ends today.
Sabah Immigration Department director Musa Sulaiman said only 1,088 of the estimated 50,000 illegal Indonesian and Filipino workers registered since the programme began on Feb 16.
“We do not know the reason for the poor response.
“We will have to go down to the ground and find out from the employers,” he said at a press conference here.
The programme, carried out by state-appointed Syarikat Inti Padu Technology Sdn Bhd, was part of an initiative to overcome worker shortage in the agricultural, construction, manufacturing and ser- vice sectors in Sabah.
“As of now, we don’t have any directive to extend the programme,” he said.
Musa warned that stern action would be taken against employers hiring illegal workers or harbouring them.
The illegal workers were given six months to register with the company and would face the law if they failed to do so, he added.
It is understood that the company charges about RM1,200 for the registration of each worker. The fee does not include levy and other immigration charges.
Up till July 31, said Musa, the department had carried out 793 operations and screened 23,563 people, of whom 2,741 were illegal immigrants.
Filipinos made up the highest number, with 1,928, followed by Indonesians (725), Pakistanis (64). The others nabbed came from India, China, Vietnam and Thailand.
“Sixty employers were arrested,” Musa said, adding that the state government allowed foreign workers to work till the age of 60. Previously, the age limit was 55.
“They will need to pass medical screening,” he added.
The state also now permits foreign workers to work for up to 15 years, from the 10-year limit previously.
As of now, we don’t have any directive to extend the programme.
Musa Sulaiman