KUALA LUMPUR: The Government is willing to give employers a massive reduction in fines to send back foreign workers who have overstayed, or those whose work permits have expired. The fines can be reduced by as much as 70%, said Immigration Department director-general Datuk Mahmood Adam.
Instead of having to pay between RM2,000 and RM3,000 in fines, employers would only have to pay the nominal compound of RM300, and another RM100 for a special (exit) pass to repatriate a foreign worker who had overstayed.
“Sometimes, employers overlooked the work permit deadlines; or, the foreign workers were unsuitable for the work, not capable or often falling ill,” said Mahmood.
“These are circumstances we can understand. The Immigration officials will be lenient and impose the RM300 compound and allow the foreign workers to be deported.”
Mahmood urged employers to take up the offer in line with the Government’s policy to cut down on illegal immigrants.
Two weeks ago, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said companies in dire straits owing to the economic crunch could apply to the Human Resources Ministry to let the foreign workers go even if their service contracts had not expired.
Last week, MTUC called on the Government to declare a general amnesty for illegal foreign workers as thousands wanted to return home but were afraid of getting caught.
MTUC vice-president K. Balasubramaniam said once they left, jobless Malaysians would have the opportunity to fill the vacancies.
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