The number of undocumented foreign migrant workers registering to Thai authority has exceeded 700,000, the country’s Department of Employment (DOE) said on August 8, insisting it will not extend the deadline for registration.
Tens of thousands of foreign workers in Thailand returned home despite the Thai Government suspending a new labour law which was announced on June 23.
Malaysia has captured 1,035 illegal immigrants and 16 employers on the first day of the nationwide Op Mega raid.
Malaysian authorities began a campaign on July 1 to nab illegal foreign workers nationwide, especially in states accommodating crowds of guest workers.
The Malaysian Immigration Department has decided not to extend the registration for the Enforcement Card Programme (or E-card) for foreign workers although last-minute applicants have doubled since June 28.
Over 150 foreigners aged between 20-45, have been detained by the Malaysian Immigration Department for various offences including not having identification documents, possession of fake work permits.
The Malaysian Government is continuing raids on illegal foreign workers nationwide.
As many as 62 foreign women and nine Malaysians were arrested on May 1 during an operation against illegal workers jointly held by the Immigration Department and relevant authorities in Johor state.
The Malaysian Department of Immigration said Malaysia would begin issuing the card ‘E-kad’ for illegal foreign workers to temporarily legalise their jobs as from February 15.
Local media reported on December 14 that the number of illegal foreign workers in Malaysia have reduced drastically thanks to the Immigration Department’s rehiring and resettlement of illegal immigrants programme.
Malaysian authorities have arrested nearly 48,000 undocumented foreign workers in 2016, according to a statement by the Malaysian parliament.
As many as 40 percent of foreign workers in Malaysia are undocumented, hindering the country’s efforts to reduce independence on foreign workforce in 2020.
The Immigrant Department of Malaysia will freeze assets of companies that hire illegal foreign workers, starting from October 1, local newspaper “The Star” reported.
Silent Bay Travel and Trade Co. Ltd was fined 80 million VND, or 3,590 USD, by the Khanh Hoa provincial People’s Committee on July 19 for bad record keeping and employing illegal foreign workers.
The administration of Laos’ capital city of Vientiane will start the granting of temporary working permit to migrant foreign labourers in order to better manage illegal foreign workers here.
As many as 27,468 foreign workers without relevant documents including work permits have been detained by Malaysian authorities since the beginning of this year.
Malaysia has decided to stop the recruitment of new foreign workers into the country with immediate effect.
The Malaysian Government will start its re-hiring programme for illegal foreign workers, which will be implemented until the end of 2016.
