KUCHING: Foreign workers will be allowed to enter and work in the state beginning on Jan 1.
The committee’s chairman and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, in announcing this, said the decision was made in hopes of reducing the number of illegal immigrants entering Sarawak which had contributed to several positive Covid-19 cases detected in the state lately.
“The last time we closed the borders to foreign workers, we saw an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases. Once we allowed them to enter, the number of cases decreased.
“There is always a balance between economic requirements and health which is why this issue has been deliberated and we feel that this is an appropriate time for us to open our borders to foreign workers to avoid having illegal immigrants,” he told a press conference today.
Uggah stressed that the foreign workers must obtain their work permits in addition to having sponsors (employees) before entering the state.
“Employers who want to bring foreign workers into Sarawak must also apply and comply with the admission procedure for foreign workers which will be submitted by the Malaysian Immigration Department of Sarawak (JIMS),” he explained.
Uggah added that the employers would also bear the responsibility of transporting the foreign workers from the points of entry to the quarantine centres.
“There is no need for them to undergo Covid-19 screening in their home country as they will undergo the compulsory 14-day quarantine upon arrival in the state. The costs including for swab tests will be borne by the employers,” he said.
Uggah pointed out that the move was to address the economic requirements of the state.
“If there is an indication that the move can increase the number of positive cases in Sarawak, we will take the necessary action,” he added.
