No inhumane handling of foreign workers – Ismail

PUTRAJAYA: Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday refuted claims by certain quarters over the government’s handling of foreign workers in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

He said those who accused the government of being inhumane should be clear about the two categories of foreign workers, namely those with permits and those who entered the country illegally.

“Those who have permits are required in the construction, plantation or 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) sectors and are also contributing to Socso (Social Security Organisation), as well as complying with International Labor Laws,” he said in a press conference here yesterday.

He said illegal immigrants without permits and employment documents, including those who entered the country via backdoor routes should not be given special treatment, as they had violated the country’s laws, and threatened the safety and security of the public.

However, he said allegations that the government was being inhumane during raids and while arresting foreigners under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) was untrue.

He pointed out in the case of the EMCO imposed at the Selangor Mansion in Kuala Lumpur, all residents including illegal immigrants were placed under lockdown during the period, however, the authorities allowed those with valid documentation to resume with their daily lives, while those who had no documents were arrested for entering the country illegally.