The immigration department estimates there are around 500,000 illegal immigrants in the country. In 2011 the government offered illegal immigrants, estimated to then number around two million, the chance to register to be legalized or voluntarily repatriated to their own. Some 1.3 million took advantage of the offer, but many remain here illegally. This will be the biggest campaign ever conducted by the immigration department against illegal workers and involves various departments including the police and armed forces. Any illegal workers discovered will be immediately deported and their employees will be prosecuted.
Of course, most of these illegal immigrants have jobs, with many working in construction. Apparently many others work in the food and beverage business. Clearly thought needs to be given on how to ensure that there is not a labour shortage in critical industries. The property developers are warning of higher prices, in part because of the crackdown which they claim results in even the legal foreign workers not showing up for work. It is not clear why this would happen. Most of the illegal workers are Indonesian, with others coming from Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Nepal.
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