Not All 1.5 million Bangladeshi Workers Coming Here, Says Human Resource Minister
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot today denied that 1.5 million Bangladeshis would be brought to Malaysia, saying instead that the figure was merely the number of workers registered with the authorities there to be sent to different countries.
He told a press conference today that there were 139 countries, including Malaysia, to which the Bangladesh government would supply labour.
“The 1.5 million is the number of workers registered with the Bangladesh government through the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment to be sent to 139 countries, including Malaysia.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot says Bangladesh is sending 1.5 million workers to 139 countries, not just Malaysia. – The Malaysian Insider
“The perception that 1.5 million workers will be brought from Bangladesh to Malaysia is not true,” he said.
Richard signed on behalf of Malaysia a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dhaka yesterday on the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers.
Previous statements by Malaysian officials have said that the 1.5 million workers would be brought to Malaysia in stages over three years.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, however, earlier this month said that the figure was of Bangladesh citizens registered with their government for employment, according to a report in The Sun Daily, and new workers would only be brought in based on supply and demand.
Richard today said there was no fixed number of Bangladeshi workers to be recruited to Malaysia and it would depend on the needs of local employers.
“It will be based on requests by industries. The 1.5 million figure is not accurate.
“However, our priority will still be to give jobs to locals. That is most important.”
The MoU which he signed yesterday also did not state a specific figure, and the matter would also be reviewed after five years.
Application procedures to bring in Bangladeshi workers would have to be done online, the minister said, adding that so far, no company has filed any application.
Putrajaya was also working to improve screening processes for foreign workers for health and criminal records.
Richard declined to comment on a request by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) that Putrajaya conduct a Royal Commission of Inquiry on foreign workers, saying such inquiries were a matter for the prime minister to decide.
News Source: The Malaysia Insider