KOTA KINABALU – Employers with undocumented migrant workers in Sabah can now temporarily “legalise” their workers through a special government programme beginning next month.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin announced that the Sabah Technical Migrant Management Committee had decided to launch the Migrant Workers and Sabah State Migrant Workers and Non-Permanent Resident Special Programme after considering pleas from industry players on the labour shortage in several sectors.
He said the programme will allow migrant workers without valid work permits from all work sectors and sub-sectors to stay in the state by applying for a Temporary Visit Working Pass from the Immigration Department.
The programme will also provide leniency to migrant workers without a valid permit to return to their home countries without any legal action, provided that they are not criminals.
“The programme will be enforced for six months from February 3, 2022, until August 2, 2022. It is open to employers from all sectors and sub-sectors who have employed migrants with and without valid working permits, and permanent and non-permanent residents who have stayed in Sabah to date,” he said in a statement today.
Bung Moktar said that the programme will help enforcement agencies enhance their integrated operations and take stern action against employers who still want to hire undocumented migrants.
Earlier, speaking at a press conference after chairing the Sabah Technical Migrant Management Committee meeting today, Bung Moktar said he expects the announcement to garner criticism from opposition parties.
He also said that the Sabah government has given the exclusive right to Smart Sabah Corporation Sdn Bhd, a company fully owned by the Sabah government to develop a system called the Sabah State Migrant Workers and Non-Permanent Resident Integrated Management System.
“I expect that there will be parties that are going to politicise this issue. But that is not something to be worried about. It is normal. Let them be.
“What is important is that the people in Sabah will be able to enjoy a better life than today,” he said.
On deportation, Bung Moktar said that Sabah is currently facing problems deporting undocumented migrants from the Philippines as Zamboanga city, which is autonomous on Mindanao Island, has refused to accept any ships from Sabah.
Before this, undocumented migrants from the Philippines in Sabah were shipped to Zamboanga’s port from Sandakan Port.
“We will be discussing the matter with Manila, and see if the deportation process can be arranged by flight. If that fails, we will be discussing with other mayors of the Philippines and see which cities will want to accept the migrants,” he added.
Bung Moktar earlier said that the Sabah government aims to speed up the deportation process of undocumented migrants to ensure the security of the state. – The Vibes, January 24, 2022
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