Malaysia to begin implementing plans regarding undocumented migrants’ status from Nov 16

The Malaysian government will implement two plans involving undocumented migrants, including regulating their presence in the country by ensuring that they are legally employed, Malaysia's Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has announced.

The two undocumented migrants recalibration plans, which will also see them returning to their home country voluntarily, is set to start on November 16 until June 30, 2021.

The government had agreed with the proposed plans for - the Repatriation Recalibration Plan and the Labour Recalibration Plan, Hamzah said that on October 21.

Under the repatriation plan, undocumented migrants can volunteer to go back to their homeland subject to certain conditions.

"The implementation of the plans does not involve additional operating costs to the government and it is handled fully by government agencies.

"In fact, the government is expected to make RM95mil from compounds and other payments that undocumented migrants and employers will have to pay," he announced on Thursday (Nov 12).

The migrants and employers who wish to participate in either programme are to deal directly with the Immigration Department and the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department, the minister added.

Hamzah assured that the employment offer for undocumented migrants will not threaten job opportunities for the locals.

"Employment opportunities for locals are guaranteed based on the ratio policy between local and foreign workers employed that are currently in place. Priority is always given to locals to fill in vacancies at workplaces in all economic sectors," he said.

For now, employers operating under the 3D categories - dangerous, difficult and dirty jobs - can employ undocumented migrants under the recalibration plans.

The sectors that are permitted are construction, manufacturing, plantation and agriculture.

Hamzah said the Home and Human Resources ministries would engage with embassies and high commissions as well as industry places to inform employers and undocumented migrants on what the two plans entail.

"The freeze on new intake of foreign workers in all sectors will continue to support the government's policy to prioritise the local workforce," he said.

The minister said that after the end of the two plans on June 30,2021, the Immigration Department will kick off its Illegal Immigrants Holistic Enforcement Plan which will see mass enforcement activities taking place.

Copyright: The Star/ Asia News Network