Authorities are heightening their vigilance regarding foreign workers who abandon their approved jobs, as Immigration Minister Viliame Naupoto has warned that absconders could face expulsion from the country. The Immigration Ministry is actively compiling a list of prohibited immigrants, particularly as employers report that some foreign workers, issued valid work permits, are no longer in their employ.
Minister Naupoto emphasized that this list is derived from reports filed by employers regarding the non-compliance of their workers. He noted that spot checks conducted by Immigration compliance teams have further contributed to the list, revealing that some permit holders have vanished from their assigned workplaces.
In several instances, relatives of these workers have reported losing contact with them, adding to the concern over their whereabouts. The ministry has expressed appreciation for the vigilance of employers and individuals who bring these cases to light.
Immigration officers undertake a thorough verification process to confirm the status of work permits, making attempts to reach absconders through their registered contact information and conducting physical checks at their last known addresses. Under the law, those who remain in the country after their permits expire are categorized as prohibited immigrants. The Immigration Act empowers the permanent secretary to disclose the names, addresses, and photographs of these individuals.
Minister Naupoto alerted that some workers might be engaged in unauthorized employment, putting them at risk of exploitation as prohibited immigrants. He clarified that work permits are specific to designated employers and cannot be transferred, underscoring that illegal employment exposes individuals to potential exploitation.
The minister warned that engaging workers without the legal right to work carries severe penalties, including fines up to $750,000 or imprisonment for up to 20 years, while those facilitating the stay of unauthorized migrants risk fines of $5,000 or two years in prison. As such, the government remains committed to addressing this issue with strict enforcement measures, ultimately contributing to a more secure immigration framework.
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