KUCHING: A seven-day period has been given to 117 North Korean workers whose work permits have expired to voluntarily surrender following the launch of the 3 + 1 programme starting yesterday.
Their employers are also given the same grace period to do the same.
Deputy Home Minister Dato’ Masir Kujat said before this, the workers were said to have ‘disappeared’ due to their whereabouts being unknown.
“Efforts to track the workers were underway by the authorities, and because they have overstayed, it makes them being categorised as illegal workers.
“Previously, 55 workers from North Korea have been deported for overstaying and many of them were believed to be in Kuching, Bintulu and Mukah,” he pointed out.
This was revealed by Masir in a press conference after the Excellence Service Awards of Immigration Department (Sarawak Zone) held at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka here, yesterday.
Elaborating, Masir said, there are also workers with valid work permits and they have no problem at all.
Meanwhile, Director-General of Immigration Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali told enforcement action will be taken against the 117 North Koreans who have now become illegal immigrants in the country.
“Stern action will be taken against employers who still retain their workers who overstay in the country, especially in Sarawak.
“Period of one week from today (yesterday) will be given to employers and workers, in order to appear in the 3 + 1 programme prior to strict enforcement actions,” he stressed.
He added, enforcement would be taken against any employer who protects or employs illegal immigrants not only in accordance with the Immigration Act but may be associated with aspects of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) such as freezing their assets and their accounts, besides being blacklisted.
Earlier, a total of 112 Immigration personnel not only received the Excellence Service Awards but they also received each a BSN Premium Savings Certificate worth of RM1,000.
