THE Immigration Department has denied a media report saying that unclear government policies have attracted foreign workers to enter Malaysia legally or otherwise.

Its director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the policies and procedures for hiring foreign workers in the country are clear, with 15 source countries already fixed.

He also said foreign workers are not eligible to apply for permanent resident status.

Khairul said unskilled foreign workers from these countries were only allowed to work in 3D category (dirty, dangerous and difficult) sectors, such as in construction sites, oil palm plantations or as building cleaners.

The source countries are Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and India.

“Employers face difficulties getting locals to work in these sectors,” he said in a statement today.

Khairul said up to December 31 last year, there were a total of 1.4 million foreign workers in the country with active temporary employment visit passes, adding that employers who did not comply with the stipulated policies would be prosecuted under the Immigration Act and Regulations.

“Every employer must renew their foreign workers’ passes annually and pay a levy according to the employment sector. The period has been set for 10 years and employers are given the option to continue for another three years with a higher levy rate,” he said.

The department will continue to consistently intensify enforcement and document checks nationwide, he said, adding that a total of 1,197 enforcement operations had been implemented and 26,008 individuals checked since January 1. – Bernama, March 25, 2021.