A total of 132 Thais have been arrested for working illegally at two nightspots in the Malaysian capital, a senior Labour Ministry official said on Saturday.
Malaysian immigration officials made the arrests following two raids in Kuala Lumpur, Employment Department chief Waranon Pitiwan said on Saturday.
The 130 women and two transgender women, aged between 20 and 30, were charged with working without a permit. Each faces a fine of up to 1,000 ringgit (7,830 baht) and/or a jail term of up to six months, said Mr Waranon.
Many Thai women enter Malaysia for 30 days at a time to work at entertainment venues, mostly in major tourist towns. Authorities have known about the practice for years but it has proved difficult to curb. Many women are persuaded by job brokers via Facebook or other social media to work in Malaysia, said Mr Waranon.
Handsome incomes offered by job brokers draw many women south despite the fact that they will be working in Malaysia illegally and risk arrest, he added.
He warned Thai nationals wanting to work abroad to follow proper procedures in entering foreign countries and to apply for work permits.
He said the Labour Ministry would take drastic action against illegal brokers using social media to lure job seekers. Violators face jail terms of 3-10 years and/or fines of 60,000 to 200,000 baht.
