The legalisation process of undocumented migrants in Malaysia will begin from February 15.
The decision, which was made on Friday, was announced by Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, New Straits Times reported.
This time, the Malaysian Home Ministry, under its rehiring programme, will issue valid work permits to around two million illegal foreign workers.
Zahid said the authorities would implement the first phase of the programme for three months to gauge its effectiveness.
“The programme ensures that employers can register their workers online directly, without relying on agents who will pocket levies from employers but will fail to register workers.
“Employers will not be penalised if they complete their workers’ documentation online. They will, however, have to pay a levy,” he said, adding that ministry officials would meet employers and agents in two weeks to discuss the programme.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on January 28 that the programme would allow illegal foreign workers to obtain valid work permits, and the authorities to better monitor the number of workers for security.
Because of this programme, some 300,000 undocumented Bangladeshi migrants will have the opportunity to become legal..
Labour Counsellor at Bangladeshi High Commission in Malaysia Md Sayedul Islam described the programme as a positive matter for the undocumented Bangladeshi workers working in Malaysia.
“I heard the news in the local media. After getting official statements in this regard, we will know more about it,” he said.
“Illegal migrants from Indonesia will get the highest priority to become legal, followed by Bangladeshi workers,” added Sayedul.
A total of 267,803 undocumented Bangladeshi migrants became legal under an amnesty programme of the Malaysian government back in 2011.
The Bangladesh mission in Malaysia sees this as results of continuous diplomatic efforts on its part.
