MANILA, Philippines (AP) - At least half of the 10,000 Filipino workers in Malaysia

are illegal and the government must take steps to crack down on unauthorized job

recruiters, the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur said.

The state-run Philippines news agency quoted an embassy report as saying Filipinos

frequently work illegally in Malaysia as waitresses, prostitutes, vendors and construction

workers.

The report said many Filipinos are recruited by job referral agencies which help

them skirt Malaysian laws.Recruiters charge up to U.S. $4,000 for their services,

the report said.Deputy chief of mission urged the government to crack down on illegal

recruiters.