RM35 admin charge to register illegal foreign workers

Agents appointed to register illegal foreign workers can only impose an administrative charge of RM35, not a sen more, said Home Ministry deputy secretary-general (immigration and policy) Datuk Alwi Ibrahim.

“If any agent has been found to have charged more, workers should report to the Home Ministry and appropriate action, including revoking their licences, would be taken if they are found guilty,” he told reporters here yesterday.

There are 336 agents appointed to register illegal foreign workers.

He said the registration would be done free of charge at Immigration offices nationwide.

Alwi said the 6P programme was not an “overnight decision”, but was being implemented after a year-long study that followed discussions with stakeholders including ministries, agencies, associations and unions.

Long queue: Foreign workers waiting outside an agent’s office in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday. — AZMAN GHANI / The Star

He said its sole aim was to obtain accurate figures on the number of illegals working in the country and to map out a comprehensive strategy to fill vacancies in the various sectors.

He said this was also being done as there were too many illegals in the country and there was an increase in social problems.

Alwi said the representatives of the agents had related their problems, including incorrect passwords and incompatible software, during a discussion at the ministry yesterday.