JOHOR BARU: In a bid to make employers more responsible, the government wants to introduce a strict liability programme to ensure that the movement of foreign workers can be better monitored and controlled.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed believes the programme would enhance security as well as improve public health.
"The government is currently discussing the matter with relevant employers federations and associations. This has been going on for a while, but many employers are not keen on the programme," said Nur Jazlan.
He said the strict liability programme would be one of the ways of keeping the immigrant economy in check.
"Under the programme, employers would have to provide accommodation for their workers and provide adequate insurance and medical benefits," said Nur Jazlan, who is also the member of parliament for Pulai.
He said this in a press conference at the Kompleks Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat here today after giving letters of offer to 85 squatters living in areas under his constituency to rent the People's Housing Project (PPR) Sungai Melana flats.
Under the first phase 1,100 units have been built, and the squatters will be able to move in for the Hari Raya celebration if they take up the offer.
Nur Jazlan said this in response to a question regarding the government's other programmes, such as the re-hiring programme and the special permission given to illegal immigrants to go home for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, which was announced recently by Deputy Prime Ministrer Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
It was reported that a total of 124,279 foreign workers were registered under the Rehiring Programme between Feb 15 and June 13.
"With Hari Raya just around the corner, the exodus of foreign workers leaving the country will surely increase. But the immigrants will come back after that, so that is why it is necessary to force employers to take more responsibility for their workers.
"If an employer has 100 workers, the government will come after him even if one worker is missing," Nur Jazlan said.
On a separate matter, Nur Jazlan said the government is in the midst of introducing an amendment or new enactment for sexual offences where a perpetrator can be arrested for sexual grooming activity.
"Currently, police can only make an arrest when the offence is committed. What we are working on now, is for a law which warrants an arrest for activities identified as grooming (which usually occurs on the Internet where the perpetrator tries to lure the victim for a sexual act)," he said.
Nur Jazlan cited the case of sex offender Richard Huckle, who allegedly committed the crimes between 2006 and 2014.
"This new law will not only protect children, but also women as well as men," said Nur Jazlan