A TOTAL of 96,809 undocumented migrants have been deported as of August 20, as part of the repatriation recalibration programme, said Immigration deputy director-general (control) Makhzan Mahyuddin, today.

He added that to the same date, 174,068 undocumented migrants were registered for the labour recalibration programme, a rehiring scheme.

“In the labour recalibration programme, employers in plantation, agriculture, construction, manufacturing and services facing a labour shortage due to the freeze on migrant worker recruitment, can hire through this scheme.

“The employer must ensure the worker has a valid travel document and register him or her with Immigration for verification.

“The employer will also need to get a quota approval from the Ministry of Human Resources before it is endorsed by Immigration,” he said.

Makhzan said that migrants from 15 countries – including Thailand, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – that receive approval will be granted a temporary employment pass.

He said the cost of hiring for the agriculture and plantation sectors is RM2,535 per worker, while for the construction, manufacturing and services sectors it is RM3,745 per worker.

He said the levy for the first sector group is RM640, while for the second it is RM1,850.

Makhzan said the recalibration plan will end on December 21, 2021, or when the Covid-19 vaccination programme for migrant workers is over.

He hopes that employers and workers will take advantage of this opportunity to avoid arrest.

He said workers opting for repatriation must pay a fine of RM300-RM500 for offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63, have a ticket home and a legitimate Covid-19 negative test result.

He said the repatriation programme is not for workers awaiting trial. – Bernama, August 26, 2021.