More than 300 Indonesian workers have been deported by the Malaysian Government for illegally working in East Java, according to latest reports till February 2017.
Deputy Governor of East Java, Saifullah Yusuf was quoted by Netral saying, “In 2015, a total of 8,000 migrant workers had been deported and 6,000 people in 2016, by the Malaysian authorities.”
He reminded migrant workers from East Java to make sure that they have legal working permits before leaving for the neighbouring country. Further many Indonesian workers have ended up in Malaysian jails for working illegally without work permits.
And several others have died in sea accidents for trying to enter Malaysia illegally. The East Java administration has further urged migrant workers to attend training to improve on their skills before seeking jobs in Malaysia or other neighbouring countries.
Malaysia has also increased the fees required to deport illegal migrant workers at Tawau Port in Negeri Sabah, Jakarta Globe reports. The authorities have detained hundreds of illegal workers in massive operations conducted by police and immigration officials.
Last year, Malaysia deported 78 Indonesian workers via the Entikong border in Sanggau regency, West Kalimantan. These migrants were deported for various reasons stating, some found that the salaries were not as promised, so they went to the Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching to ask for help. Among the 78 deported workers, there are 73 adults and five children, The Jakarta Post reports.
See: Indonesian Domestic Workers to Benefit from a Pilot Training Programme Kicking Off Next Year
On January 11 and 12, the Malaysian Government deported 726 troubled Indonesian workers on crackdown of illegal immigrants and had served punishments in various regions of the Malaysian Peninsula. An official of Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru, Dewi Lestari said, most of the workers were deported on the grounds of violations made due to overstaying, illegal entry and failing to secure work permits.
These Indonesian migrants hailed from various regions to include Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, Lampung, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, West Kalimantan, Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara.
As recently, the Malaysian government has imposed stricter measures for undocumented foreigners working illegally in the country. Following the frequent reports on arrests and deportation lately, the regional authorities across the country have intensified supervision over foreigners to prevent violation of working permits or visas.
Furthermore, the Industry Ministry has ensured that stringent supervision is being maintained on foreign workers in industrial areas or zones to prevent any immigration violation, Antara News reports.
Also read: Indonesian Government Plans to Certify 65,000 Tourism Workers in 2017
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