Deal signed to recruit 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers, says report

The deal to send 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia over the next three years was inked today between both countries under a new government-to-government (G2G) plus system today, The Daily Star reported. The Bangladeshi news portal reported that the memorandum of understanding was signed today by the country's Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam and Malaysia's Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem at Dhaka's Expatriates' Welfare office. "Under the deal, Bangladeshi labours will be recruited in every sector including construction, manufacturing and services," the portal reported. It also quoted Riot saying the recruitment would be conducted fairly and transparently. It reported that the Bangladeshi workers would receive a minimum wage at around 15,000 taka, which is equivalent to between RM800 and RM900. Under the previous G2G system launched in 2012, only 10,000 Bangladeshi workers had been sent to Malaysia. News of Putrajaya's decision to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers has been widely criticised for weeks. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the workers were needed because Malaysians were unwilling to take up jobs that were dirty, dangerous and difficult. Opposition politicians have and worker groups have also criticised the move, saying priority should be given to local workers given the poor economic climate. Some groups have also expressed concerns about security and increased crime. The Malaysian Trade Union Congress has today called on the government to scrap the plan in the interest of locals, and urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into the matter of bringing in the foreigners. – February 18, 2016.]]>