Gov't mulls legalising migrant workers in Forest City

The government will look into the possibility of legalising hundreds of workers from China brought in for the Forest City project in Johor.

Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said this following Malaysiakini's special report on the illegal migrant workers.

"We will investigate further on the matter and look at ways to legalise them with a proper employer. We will consider their suitability to be registered under the rehiring programme,” he told Malaysiakini.

"We will instruct the enforcement section of the Immigration Department to investigate the role of the developer and the contractors of the project."

The special report revealed that a large number of illegal workers from China are working at the project site without salaries being paid.

Hundreds of Chinese national, who were recruited by agents in China and entered Malaysia with social visit passes, were forced to leave the country after finding out that they might have to work illegally, or be paid much less than anticipated.

"China is not a source country but some workers are given special approvals because they were requested by Chinese investors or contractors. They must go home after their contracts with that special approvals have expired,” said Nur Jazlan.

"But many don't go home, especially in construction projects by Chinese mainland companies."

The government only entered into memorandum of understanding (MOUs) with several countries, which included Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

The Home Ministry's rehiring programme was meant for illegal workers in Peninsular Malaysia to apply for work permits to meet the job demands in few key sectors, mainly construction, plantation, services, manufacturing and agriculture.

This will also enable the government to determine the actual number of illegal foreign workers in the country for the purpose of monitoring and security.

Developer vows action

In an email to Malaysiakini, Country Garden PacificView Sdn Bhd (CGPV) vowed to investigate the matter and take action against errant contractors.

"As a responsible developer, CGPV will investigate the allegation with reference to the foreign workers and its related issues. The developer stresses that any breach of contract would result in firm action being taken against the relevant contractor.

"The project involves a number of main contractors as well as sub-contractors. Like any other development projects, the process of awarding contracts to these contractors would require the signing of contractual agreements."

It said the agreement covers the employability of foreign workers in accordance with the relevant immigration laws and regulations and also the responsibilities of the contractors in managing their workers.

"Forest City reiterates that it would do its best to ensure that the laws are followed and will look into this," it added.- Mkini