Foreigners can work till 60; 15 years
Published on: Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: The age limit of foreign workers eligible for employment in all sectors in the State has been raised to 60 provided they have no health problems and meet other existing requirements."The authorities have also agreed to extend the service period for foreign workers from a maximum of 10 (using the 5+ 5 concept) to 15 years (using the 5+5+5 concept). "This new ruling also depends on the foreign workers abiding by other existing requirements, especially passing their health checks," said State Immigration Director Musa bin Sulaiman (pic). The amendments are effective immediately. ADVERTISEMENT At the same time, the Rehiring Sabah 2017 programme will not be continued when the deadline ends today (August 15)."The programme had been carried out for six months since Feb 16 by Inti Padu Technology Sdn Bhd."I, therefore, urge those employers who have yet to register to do so as there is still time until tomorrow. After this we will consider taking stern action against those employers found to be still harbouring and engaging foreign workers with valid permits. ADVERTISEMENT "For now, there is no directive to extend the rehiring programme," said Musa, adding that any such directive would have to come from the state government as immigration issues were the state's prerogative.He said that firm action would be taken against employers who hire or harbour illegal workers in plantations or other places of work.
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"They have been given six months to register and if they did not do it by Tuesday, they will have to answer to the law," he added.It is understood that the company charges about RM1,200 to register each worker, which does not include levies and other immigration charges.He said as of August 11 there were 1,088 workers who have been registered statewide under the programme. He said the targeted registration was about 50,000. So the number of actual registration was about only two per cent."The largest number of registrations was in Lahad Datu in the plantations sector.Musa said they will also look into the reason why the response was poor towards the programme."Perhaps the employers are not following (or participating in) it or perhaps the category of workers offered under the programme are not available in the State. We will look into the matter especially with the employers."Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Meanwhile, he also said that 60 companies and employers were hauled up for hiring illegal foreign workers up to July 31, this year. Of 23,563 who were checked in 793 statewide, 2,738 were arrested.Filipinos made up the highest number of illegal immigrants with 1,928, followed by Indonesia (725), Pakistan (64) and the remaining 24 coming from India, China, Vietnam and Thailand and others. - Neil Chan