PUTRAJAYA, March 1 — Over 600,000 undocumented foreign workers not involved in the Manpower Recalibration Programme (PRTK) are urged to take advantage of the Migrant Repatriation Programme, which comes into effect today.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said they are allowed until the end of this year to return to their home countries without facing legal action and will only be fined for certain offences under the Immigration Act.
“As of noon today, a total of 848 undocumented immigrants have registered to join the Migrant Repatriation Programme,” he told a press conference today.
Saifuddin also reminded foreign nationals not to seek the services of agents but to come to the Immigration office themselves to register and conduct any transactions.
“Do not use any agent services. Forget it. The government will not entertain any requests from them (agents) or third parties,” he said.
The recalibration programme is a government initiative which provides an opportunity for foreigners who have overstayed or do not have valid permits to meet the manpower needs of critical sectors.
The Migrant Repatriation Programme takes effect from today until December 31, aiming to allow undocumented foreign workers to return to their home countries voluntarily.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said the remaining quota of formal sector foreign workers via active and levy-paid PRTK, but with Visa with Reference (VDR) not issued by March 31, will be cancelled.
Levy payments for that quota would be refunded to the employers.
“The final date for the entry of new formal sector foreign workers with VDR is on May 31, and there will be no more entry of formal foreign workers from the active quota allowed starting June 1,” he said.
The minister also urged employers involved to expedite the entry of foreign workers for the PRTK programme, but they must comply with the stipulated labour conditions and laws.
Regarding levy improvements, Saifuddin said the government will implement a more employer-friendly levy refund policy, which also comes into effect today.
These improvements include reducing the processing time for levy refunds from 53 to 28 days for applications at the approval level of the Immigration director-general.
“The application period at the approval level of the Home Ministry secretary-general is reduced from 77 days to 38 days,” he said.
Employers are also allowed to claim a refund of the levy payment for foreign workers six months after the Conditional Approval Letter becomes effective, with the total balance of the foreign worker quota surrendered to the government.
— Bernama
