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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-signs-deal-with/2527328.html
Malaysia signs deal with Bangladesh to hire 1.5 million workers
Under the deal, levy for Bangladeshi workers is to be fixed at RM1,946 (US$467), although industry sources say the actual cost is a lot higher after factoring agent fees and expenses of bringing workers into Malaysia.
By Melissa Goh, Malaysia Bureau Chief, Channel NewsAsia
Posted 18 Feb 2016 20:48 Updated 18 Feb 2016 21:42
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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Dhaka on Thursday (Feb 18) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to receive 1.5 million workers from Bangladesh in stages over the next three years under a government-to-government system (G2G).
The MoU was signed by Bangladesh Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam and Malaysia Human Resources Minister Richard Riot at Dhaka’s Expatriates' Welfare office at 10am.
Under the deal, the levy for Bangladeshi workers is to be fixed at RM1,946 (US$467), though industry sources say the actual cost is a lot higher after factoring agent fees and expenses of bringing workers into Malaysia.
The signing came even as public debate rages over the proposed move by the government.
The country is already home to more than 6 million foreign workers, filling jobs that are described as “3D” or dirty, difficult and dangerous - mainly in plantation, construction, manufacturing and cleaning services that are traditionally shunned by the locals.
The number of undocumented workers in the country is estimated between 3 million and 5 million. The authorities launched a programme this week allowing employers till end of the year to rehire workers whose permits have expired, but Malaysians are sceptical over the government's move.
Executive director of Tenaganita Glorene Das. (Photo: Melissa Goh)
Executive director of Tenaganita (Women's Force) Glorene Das questioned why the rush in bringing in fresh workers when there are already so many undocumented workers in Malaysia.
"In the past years, we had so many recruitment processes, including legalisation processes, that were proven to be fraudulent,” she said. “Till today we find almost 5 million workers undocumented because there was no proper policy; ad hoc policies were enforced to manage these processes."
"Why the 1.5 million for the next three years when we know for sure the election is going to take place in 2018?"
The Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs, which regulates the intake of foreign workers, has denied that the move is politically motivated.
Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs Secretary-General Alwi Ibrahim (L). (Photo: Melissa Goh)
The ministry's Secretary-General Alwi Ibrahim said the decision to bring in more workers is based on industrial need. "The employers make the applications, not us, please be clear."
However, many foreign workers are voicing concerns.
Mohd Eunus (R) and Abu Bashar. (Photo: Melissa Goh)
Abu Bashar and Mohd Eunus, who are both Bangladeshi, have been working in construction sites in Kuala Lumpur for almost a decade, but lately jobs have been hard to come by, they said, following a slowdown in Malaysia’s construction sector .
"Jobs are a lot fewer now and employers are also paying less," said 31-year-old Abu Bashar who has just gotten married. "I don’t know why the government still wants to bring more workers in from Bangladesh, there aren't enough jobs at it is in Malaysia."
K C Chia, a project sub-contractor, is worried about public safety and hopes that the government will rethink the strategy of bringing in more foreign workers. "If they come here and there is no work, they will resort to vices, robbery, break-ins."
Meanwhile, rights groups have warned of xenophobic attacks that may trigger violence in the community as the population of foreign workers increase.
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is on a week-long working visit to the United States, said he will discuss the government's decision to recruit 1.5 million Bangladeshis with his deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when he returns. Mr Najib said the government would ensure that any move taken was to fulfil the needs of the economy.
- CNA/ec
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-signs-deal-with/2527328.html
Malaysia signs deal with Bangladesh to hire 1.5 million workers
Under the deal, levy for Bangladeshi workers is to be fixed at RM1,946 (US$467), although industry sources say the actual cost is a lot higher after factoring agent fees and expenses of bringing workers into Malaysia.
By Melissa Goh, Malaysia Bureau Chief, Channel NewsAsia
Posted 18 Feb 2016 20:48 Updated 18 Feb 2016 21:42
VIDEOS
PHOTOS
Please enable Javascript to watch this video
Email More
A A
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Dhaka on Thursday (Feb 18) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to receive 1.5 million workers from Bangladesh in stages over the next three years under a government-to-government system (G2G).
The MoU was signed by Bangladesh Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam and Malaysia Human Resources Minister Richard Riot at Dhaka’s Expatriates' Welfare office at 10am.
Under the deal, the levy for Bangladeshi workers is to be fixed at RM1,946 (US$467), though industry sources say the actual cost is a lot higher after factoring agent fees and expenses of bringing workers into Malaysia.
The signing came even as public debate rages over the proposed move by the government.
The country is already home to more than 6 million foreign workers, filling jobs that are described as “3D” or dirty, difficult and dangerous - mainly in plantation, construction, manufacturing and cleaning services that are traditionally shunned by the locals.
The number of undocumented workers in the country is estimated between 3 million and 5 million. The authorities launched a programme this week allowing employers till end of the year to rehire workers whose permits have expired, but Malaysians are sceptical over the government's move.
Executive director of Tenaganita Glorene Das. (Photo: Melissa Goh)
Executive director of Tenaganita (Women's Force) Glorene Das questioned why the rush in bringing in fresh workers when there are already so many undocumented workers in Malaysia.
"In the past years, we had so many recruitment processes, including legalisation processes, that were proven to be fraudulent,” she said. “Till today we find almost 5 million workers undocumented because there was no proper policy; ad hoc policies were enforced to manage these processes."
"Why the 1.5 million for the next three years when we know for sure the election is going to take place in 2018?"
The Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs, which regulates the intake of foreign workers, has denied that the move is politically motivated.
Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs Secretary-General Alwi Ibrahim (L). (Photo: Melissa Goh)
The ministry's Secretary-General Alwi Ibrahim said the decision to bring in more workers is based on industrial need. "The employers make the applications, not us, please be clear."
However, many foreign workers are voicing concerns.
Mohd Eunus (R) and Abu Bashar. (Photo: Melissa Goh)
Abu Bashar and Mohd Eunus, who are both Bangladeshi, have been working in construction sites in Kuala Lumpur for almost a decade, but lately jobs have been hard to come by, they said, following a slowdown in Malaysia’s construction sector .
"Jobs are a lot fewer now and employers are also paying less," said 31-year-old Abu Bashar who has just gotten married. "I don’t know why the government still wants to bring more workers in from Bangladesh, there aren't enough jobs at it is in Malaysia."
K C Chia, a project sub-contractor, is worried about public safety and hopes that the government will rethink the strategy of bringing in more foreign workers. "If they come here and there is no work, they will resort to vices, robbery, break-ins."
Meanwhile, rights groups have warned of xenophobic attacks that may trigger violence in the community as the population of foreign workers increase.
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is on a week-long working visit to the United States, said he will discuss the government's decision to recruit 1.5 million Bangladeshis with his deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when he returns. Mr Najib said the government would ensure that any move taken was to fulfil the needs of the economy.
- CNA/ec
