Seven foreign workers were caught during an operation carried out by the Law Enforcement Division of the Immigration and National Registration Department (INRD) recently.
A male foreign worker was found at a used car shop in Mukim Sengkurong committing an offence under Regulation 15(3), Chapter 17 of the Immigration Regulations for not following the position listed in the passport.
Meanwhile, at a shop in Jalan Kilanas Mulaut, Kampong Kilanas, two foreign workers were caught violating Regulations 9(4), Chapter 17 of Immigration Regulation for working under visitor passes.
The offence of violating the conditions of an immigration pass is punishable by imprisonment of not more than six months or a fine of no more than BND2,000 or both.
The work pass will be cancelled and the offender deported.
Employers hiring or harbouring an offender can be fined up to BND3,000.
An inspection at a food and drink stall in Mukim Kilanas found a female foreign worker committing an offence under Regulation 15(1), Chapter 17 of the Immigration Act and Regulations for overstaying.
Meanwhile, at a rented house in Mukim Kilanas, two foreign workers were detained for violating Regulation 15(3) as well as Regulation 15(2) for working in a place not as stated in the passport and for not working with the original employer.
A foreign worker was also detained at a rented house in Mukim Gadong B, for overstaying and violating Section 15(1), Chapter 17 of the Immigration Act.
The offence of violating the immigration pass can lead to imprisonment of between three months and two years and whipping no less than three times. The work pass will be cancelled and the offender deported. Their names may be blacklisted so that they are no longer allowed to work in the Sultanate.
Patrols, operations and inspections were conducted based on information and cooperation from the public and on the information collected, either privately or with other enforcement agencies.
The department said providing information on immigration offences can be confidentially shared by contacting the INRD hotline at 8734888 and 8753888. – Azlan Othman
