CHERAS: A total of 347 employers have been penalised by the Immigration Department as of February this year, with compound amounts totalling nearly RM6mil for hiring and harbouring illegal immigrants.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said enforcement efforts have now been expanded to include action against employers, instead of focusing solely on detaining undocumented migrants.
“This step is necessary because, as long as employers are not held accountable, the presence of illegal immigrants will continue, as they still have job opportunities here.
“If all employers act responsibly and refrain from hiring undocumented foreign workers, the pull factor for foreigners to come into the country will be reduced, except for those entering and working legally,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
Zakaria added that last year, 1,939 employers were penalised, with compounds totalling more than RM36.6mil, reflecting a significant increase in enforcement against errant employers.
“In addition to compounds, court action has resulted in fines exceeding RM1mil imposed on 57 employers this year, while fines of over RM10mil involving 454 employers were recorded last year,” he said.
Common excuses cited by employers, he said, include difficulties in hiring local workers and the lack of new quotas for foreign workers.
“However, such reasons are unacceptable as the law does not provide any exemptions,” he stressed.
Zakaria also acknowledged the involvement of unregistered agents who offer foreign workers to employers, but stressed that ultimate responsibility lies with employers.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, 133 illegal immigrants were detained during a joint enforcement raid on factories in Shah Alam and Balakong.
A total of 162 foreign nationals were inspected, with most found to have breached immigration laws, including failing to possess valid documents, lacking work permits, and misusing permits.
“Some were also found to have entered Malaysia on social visit passes but were working illegally,” he said.
Those detained comprised Indonesians, Bangladeshis, Indians, Myanmar nationals, Nepalese, Pakistanis, Vietnamese, and Chinese nationals, mostly men aged 20 to 45.
The operation, conducted with several agencies, including the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, the Customs Department, and the Environment Department, also uncovered offences involving smuggled cigarettes and untaxed alcohol, which Customs will handle.
