Gerawat: No compromise for employers after RTK 2.0 verification deadline on Sept 30

KUCHING (Sept 28): The verification process to register any illegal immigrants employed as workers will expire on Sept 30, after which the Immigration Department will not entertain any more applications from employers, said Datuk Gerawat Gala.

The Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) in a statement on Friday said employers are urged to comply with the issuance of work permits under the Sarawak Manpower Recalibration Programme (RTK 2.0).

The RTK 2.0, aimed at registering any illegal immigrants employed as workers as legal foreign workers, began on July 22, 2023 with the federal Immigration Department collaborating with the Labour Department and other relevant agencies in its implementation.

Registration through the Malaysian Immigration Department’s portal ended on June 30 earlier this year, where employers are no longer allowed to register illegal immigrants under their care or supervision.

“Employers who have completed the verification process must then proceed to apply for the approved permit and employment licence for non-resident workers from the Sarawak Labour Department, as such documents are vital for their qualification to obtain visit passes (temporary work) from the Malaysian Immigration Department.

“The acquisition of visit passes will expire on Dec 31 this year, and employers will not be allowed to obtain such passes for any illegal immigrants after the deadline,” he said.