No more mercy for employers who hire illegals - Immigration DG

Employers who employ illegal workers will no longer be just issued compound but will be charged in court.

Immigration director-general Datuk Mustafa Ibrahim said the department had decided to haul those responsible to court as the previous method of issuing compound did not deter employers from continuing to hire illegal workers.

He said the employers preferred to pay the fines than applying for work permit for their workers.

The operation to track down illegal workers are now focused on identifying stubborn employers and taking stern action against them.

As of today, 325 employers have been issued with compounds but the move does not seem to deter others.

He said a total of 174 flat units in Klang Valley has been identified as being used to house illegal workers.

“It is time we took a sterner stand,” he said.

Last night, more than 400 illegal immigrants were detained for failing to produce passport and valid permit at Desa Tun Razak Apartment.

When detained, almost all of the immigrants, had only copies of their passport and permit.