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?
PETALING JAYA: Employers might have resorted to obtaining e-Kads (employment card) for their illegal foreign workers through unlawful means due to rejection of their applications, that are put through stringent procedures.
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan said it was not easy to obtain an e-Kad for illegal foreign workers, and a mere application was not a guarantee that one would be issued.
His statement came in light of Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed’s claim that several state Immigration branches had issued e-Kads to illegal foreign workers despite not going through the ministry’s Rehiring Programme.
“By procedure, both employers and their employees have to be present together to apply for the card. It does not mean they would definitely get one. The workers have to go through a medical test and have to be free of criminal records, among others.
“On the other hand, the employers, among other things, have to provide proof that their companies exist and are registered, and provide their bank account information.
“It’s not easy to get the e-Kad. This could be the reason certain quarters had attempted to get them illegally, because they could not fulfill the requirements,” he told theSun today.
On April 10, Nur Jazlan said the Home Ministry was investigating the matter. However, he declined to disclose how many cards had been issued illegally.
“I would like to advise all employers … please register your employees through legal means. You only have until June to do so, following which there will be huge crackdowns on illegal foreign workers,” he said.
Applications for the e-Kad ends on June 30.
The card, which functions as a temporary confirmation of employment in place of valid travel documents from the respective embassies, is free and valid for one year, until Feb 15, 2018, with no extensions beyond that date.
After registration, employers are required to apply for their foreign workers’ passports and permits from the embassies.
Source : http://www.thesundaily.my/…/%E2%80%98easier-get-e-kad-illeg…
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