Deputy home minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said discussions were being held between government agencies and business organisations for a consensus on the proposals.

“With the implementation of the programme, we hope that employers will be more responsible in looking after the welfare of their foreign workers from the time they arrive here until they return to their respective countries,” he told reporters today.

Nur Jazlan said foreign workers would be provided proper housing and health insurance. “Many of them do not have proper housing and some bring with them contagious diseases. If there are better facilities for them, they will not spread diseases to the local community,” he said.

Some employers had failed to register foreign workers who lacked proper employment and immigration papers although a programme on rehiring of illegal foreign workers was carried out this year.

Most employers reaped profits by hiring foreign workers but refused to spend more in looking after their welfare.

Nur Jazlan also said that security control along the country’s border areas would be stepped up to curb the entry of illegal immigrants during the Aidil Fitri festive period.

“Usually the illegal migrants will return home to celebrate the occasion and then re-enter Malaysia, bringing along their friends because they know of the opportunities to earn a living in this country,” he added.

– BERNAMA