Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
The workers were found with permits that have either expired or not renewed
while some do not have any.
<p>A further 72 workers were found without their passports when Immigration officers
inspected the factory in Jalan Meru yesterday. </p>
<p>The officers have detained the company’s managing director and legal manager
to help in investigations. </p>
<p>Most of the illegal workers are Indonesians, and others from Vietnam and India.
</p>
<p>Immigration enforcement chief Datuk Ishak Mohamed said the company could face
millions of ringgit in fines. </p>
<p>Under the Immigration Act, an employer is liable to a maximum fine of RM50,000
for each illegal worker or a jail term of not less than two years or whipping.
</p>
<p>“This is the first time the department has come across a case involving
such a huge number of illegal workers in a single premises,” Ishak told
reporters. </p>
<p>“We paid a visit to the factory after receiving a tip-off. </p>
<p>“This company has some 4,000 foreign workers, half of whom have not had
their working permits renewed, some since March last year. </p>
<p>“Because the factory is a public-listed company with nine branches throughout
the country, we have decided not to detain any of the illegal foreign workers
because we understand that they have overseas orders to fulfil. </p>
<p>“We don’t want to jeopardise the company’s production.” </p>
<p>Ishak said the department had asked the company to give a guarantee that the
workers would not try to run away. </p>
<p>“However, this does not mean that the company will not have to face charges
for the offences,” he said. </p>
<p>Ishak said each worker could also be fined up to RM3,000 for overstaying. </p>
<p>“Usually, in such cases, it’s the employer who has to pay,”
he pointed out, adding that those without passports or work permits might have
to face harsher penalties. </p>
<p>“Each worker can be fined RM10,000 or jailed for five years, and whipped.”
</p>
<p>Ishak said he had discussed the matter with Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri
Radzi Sheikh Ahmad who agreed that a company of such reputation should not have
been so negligent in not renewing the permits of their workers. </p>
<p>When contacted, the chairman of the company, who is in China, said he had been
informed by his staff of the developments. </p>
<p>“We are in the process of renewing the permits of all our foreign workers
but this takes time. This is because we have so many workers,” he said.
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