Nearly 80% of illegal foreign workers in Malaysia haven't applied for E-card

In a report by New Straits Times, Immigration Department director-general Datuk Mustafar Ali said that nearly 80% of illegal foreign workers in Malaysia have not applied for the Enforcement Card (E-card) since its introduction on 15 February.

According to Datuk Mustafar, only a total of 68,580 illegal foreign workers have applied for the E-card as of 26 April 2017. However, there are about 600,000 which are believed to be working in the country.

Speaking to reporters during a recent joint operation at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, he said: “The response received from the employers is disappointing. It is important for them to note that they have only been given until June 30 to apply for the E-card before we take action against them.”

The joint operation was part of a nationwide effort which involved several agencies including the National Registration Department, Companies Commission of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

A total of 1,284 illegal foreign workers have been detained in the nationwide operations that started on 21 April 2017. 

Datuk Mustafar added that a total of 14,787 illegal foreign workers have been detained between January to April this year. Out of that, a large number of illegals were from Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Philippines.

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