Good time to legalise illegal workers

KUALA LUMPUR: The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) has suggested that illegal foreign workers be allowed to work legally by paying the current rate of levy.

Its deputy secretary-general I Tan Sri Teo Chiang Kok said that with an estimated four million illegal foreign workers nationwide, the move to legalise them at the levy of RM1,250 each would raise RM5bil.

“This is the time for us to legalise the illegal workers without disrupting their work or productivity.

Teo said that the RM5bil should be used to fund and train local workers and help automate the industry.

Teo was speaking to reporters after attending an emergency meeting with 54 other local commerce chambers and trade associations at Wisma Chinese Chamber in Jalan Ampang here yesterday.

He said the industry hoped the new levy, which is effective from Monday, was only temporary.

Teo also said the move to legalise the illegal workers must be transparent, efficient and done at reasonable cost.

“It should be handled by the Home Ministry and not outsourced to outsiders,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the increase in the foreign workers levy which would bring an additional RM2.5bil to the Government’s coffers.

Those in the manufacturing and construction sectors will have to pay RM2,500, up from RM1,250; services sector, RM2,500 from RM1,850; plantation and agriculture sectors, RM1,500.

The levy for domestic workers remained at RM410.