KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department is prepared to propose higher penalties for employers hiring undocumented foreign workers if the current maximum compound of RM10,000 per worker continues to fail as a deterrent.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said some employers remained undeterred despite continuous enforcement operations against those found employing foreign workers illegally.
"The maximum compound imposed on employers is RM10,000 for each undocumented foreign worker employed.
"If this amount is still ineffective, we will review it and may propose to the government that the maximum compound be increased," he told reporters after Ops Mega in Jalan Kenanga here on Monday (July 13).
Zakaria said some employers had already been slapped with compounds amounting to hundreds of thousands of ringgit because they employed large numbers of undocumented foreign workers.
He said the hefty penalties had begun to raise concerns among employers, but some were still willing to flout the law to cut costs.
"We believe imposing high compounds for every undocumented foreign worker employed will increase awareness among employers.
"However, there are still those who choose to hire undocumented workers because they want to avoid the costs involved in legal recruitment," he said.
Zakaria explained that hiring foreign workers through legal channels involves various expenses, including processing fees and transportation costs.
In contrast, employers who hire undocumented workers often only pay wages, which are typically lower than the overall cost of recruiting workers legally.
"They do not have to bear processing fees, transportation costs and other related expenses. That is why some employers prefer to hire undocumented foreign workers and only pay their salaries," he said.
Zakaria urged employers to either voluntarily send undocumented workers home through the Migrant Repatriation Programme or apply for foreign worker quotas through the Human Resources Ministry.
He added that stricter action against business premises and operating licences of errant employers was also being discussed at the highest level with relevant enforcement agencies.
"We hope all agencies will take firm action based on their respective jurisdictions," he said.
