Press Release No. 204-03
30 April 2003
DFA ADVISES
FILIPINOS BOUND FOR SABAH OF NEW IMMIGRATION LAWS;
202 FILIPINOS REPATRIATED
The Department of Foreign Affairs advises Filipinos who wish to work as contract
workers to Malaysia to first look for employers who can facilitate their
work permit. This, together with their valid passport, will be needed
to enter Sabah as a contract worker.
This came about with the issuance of a new Malaysian immigration law under
which employers who are found to be taking in undocumented workers
will be fined and/or jailed. The new immigration law is expected to
curb illegal migration to Malaysia since employers will now be reluctant
to employ undocumented workers. This new ruling does not prohibit the
entry of worker to Malaysia provided they have the proper document.
Bernaim, 42, and one of the returnees, recounted his difficulties in finding
a decent job in Malaysia.
"Life is tough now...the situation there is still not peaceful with the frequent
fighting. Getting work is difficult and if you get a job the pay is
not enough to feed a family."
Tired of being a Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighter in Mindanao
in the 70's, Bernaim fled to Sabah to work. But when the peace accord between
the MNLF and the Philippines was signed, he returned to his hometown in Jolo.
However, due to the unstable political and economic situation in Mindanao,
he went back to Sabah only to be sent back home.
As a result of the enforcement of this law, a total of 202 Filipino deportees
arrived at noon today in Zamboanga via the M/V Mary Joy.
END