Foreign workers scramble in panic as immigration team arrives

Foreign workers at a door factory near here scrambled in panic when immigration officers arrived on a raid today. Some of the workers sustained minor injuries as they sought to hide or escape.

Some of the foreigners were found lying down between high-stacked wooden boards to avoid detection.

Others tried to hide among industrial waste bins and wardrobes, resulting in torn clothes and dirty appearances as they tried to evade the enforcement officers.

Several tried to scale the walls of the factory compound, but failed as the walls were too high, besides being fitted with barbed wire.

Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said at a press conference last night that the operation began at 7pm on Thursday and was conducted in Bercham and Kanthan, Chemor, targeting timber factories, glove factories, and food courts.

An inspection was carried out on 305 workers, of whom 175 were detained on suspicion of immigration offences. Most of the workers were from Bangladesh, along with nationals from Myanmar and Vietnam.

“Most of them committed primary offences of being undocumented, lacking valid permits, and engaging in employment. There were also those who possessed permits that were not for the company where they were working,” he said.

Several cases involved the use of fake temporary employment visit passes.