Immigration Department assures employers they will not be charged for hiring illegal workers.
Immigration Department deputy director-general (Control division) Sakib Kusmi said the department gave its assurance that action would not be taken against employers who voluntarily hand over illegal immigrants in their employment.
“If the employers stubbornly shelter the illegals, they could be charged under Section 56(1)(d) and fined RM5,000.
“Meanwhile, employers who hire them illegally face action under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and be charged in court which carries a minimum penalty of RM10,000 and jail if hiring more than five illegals, if convicted,” he said when contacted by Bernama, today.
Sakib said if the employers were still stubborn and refused to cooperate, the department could seize the vehicles they use to ferry and smuggle illegals.
“I appeal to all quarters involved whether in hiring or protecting illegals to order them to surrender under the amnesty programme which will end on December 31,” he said.
He said, to date, the number of foreign workers registered nationwide was 2.2 million while 2.5 million were not registered as of this year.
He said 30,000 illegals had been arrested from January to October this year
nationwide.
In addition, more than 50,000 illegals had voluntarily surrendered under the amnesty programme from July until October this year,” he added.
On Sunday, the department had detained 181 illegal immigrants in Cameron Highlands after launching a massive crackdown.
On November 10, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had called for heavier penalties to be imposed on those who brought in illegal immigrants, including whipping.
- BERNAMA
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