DESPITE the government’s latest crackdown on illegals, the problem of undocumented foreign labour is expected to persist, as Malaysia, with its ample work opportunities, remains an easy destination.

Foreign workers interviewed by The Malaysian Insight yesterday believe that the intensified crackdown will lead many to lay low for a while, but it is unlikely to deter migrants from trying to enter the country.

“They are getting very strict. But those who want to enter the country will find a way.

“There is work here, and there are people offering to bring them here,” said Ahmad, a worker from India, in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur.

Ahmad is a documented worker under the 6P amnesty programme, a Home Ministry initiative that began in 2011 and seeks to legalise as many as two million foreign workers.

There are currently 1.85 million documented foreign workers in Malaysia, mostly from Bangladesh and Indonesia, according to the ministry.

Estimates of undocumented workers vary, from the official government estimate of 600,000 people to as many as two million according to some business associations and civil society groups.

Some of them fled persecution in their home countries, such as Myanmar’s Rohingya minority, but they are not recognised as refugees as Malaysia is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Refugees and Migrant Rights.

Maria, a Filipina who runs a house-cleaning service, believes that the problem lies with traffickers, who are serving an unfettered demand for low-cost labour.

“Only foreigners are hardworking enough to do the work. They (the authorities) are targeting the wrong people,” the 45-year-old said while shopping at Kotaraya Complex, a mall in the city centre that is popular among foreign workers.

She described the recent government action against foreign workers as “heavy-handed”.

“There was a raid here on July 1, and many innocent people were arrested.

“They used handcuffs on people, and their arms were bruised. They did nothing wrong. They have the proper permits. It is not good to treat people like they are criminals.”

Jemma, also from the Philippines, said the authorities are inconsistent with their demands.

“Earlier, they accepted photocopies of passports and (work permit) IDs. But during the last operation, they did not. They arrested many workers with permits,” said the 48-year-old, who manages an eatery at Kotaraya Complex.

“I was nearly arrested, but I said my passport was in Ampang with my husband. The business owners had to go to Putrajaya to get their workers out.”

Early this month, Immigration Department officials detained 1,224 illegals in 473 operations nationwide under Op Mega 3.0.

The department said 117,448 undocumented workers returned home between January 1 and July 1 this year through the voluntary surrender programme.

Jemma said unless the government regulates the process of bringing in workers, the problem of undocumented migrants will continue as desperate foreigners can always turn to illegal agents.

“Malaysia has good opportunities. They (foreign workers) will pay agents RM9,000 to come and work here.

“Sometimes, they are cheated. Sometimes, they (traffickers) use ‘ghost’ employers.” – July 23, 2018.