… Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the proposed RM30,000 fines for companies and agents bringing in foreign workers without providing them jobs within a month align with the gravity of the offence.

In a Facebook post, he said the compound would also cover the cost of the foreign workers' repatriation to their home countries.

"The suggested fines are proportional to the offence and to cover the cost of repatriating foreign workers to their home countries, as previously it was borne by the government.

Johari said he was compelled to propose the compounds following the incident on Dec 25, where 171 Bangladeshi workers in Kota Tinggi, Johor, were detained after walking en masse to the Bayu Damai Police Station as the employment companies or agents refused to offer them jobs.

He said this is despite the crucial industries suffering from the lack of workers, especially under those in the 'difficult, dangerous, dirty' (3D) classification.

Johari said if employment agents bring in foreign workers but wait to see which company will provide them with work, it implies they're treating employment as a business…

He added that it would tarnish the country's image as foreign workers arrive in the country expecting work but instead face issues in finding employment…