Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul has said that Malaysia is set to recruit up to 150,000 foreign workers in the coming months, with Bangladesh receiving the highest priority.
He said the Malaysian minister of human resources has assured that the country will take the largest number of workers from Bangladesh.
He made these comments in a video message on Thursday, after bilateral meetings with Malaysia’s minister of human resources and mnister of home affairs in Kuala Lumpur.
Dr Asif Nazrul said that last year, during a visit to Bangladesh, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had promised to allow those workers who could not enter Malaysia last year to enter this year.
Based on that, many discussions have taken place and Malaysia has finalized a list of 7,926 workers for the first batch, who will soon be given the opportunity to work in Malaysia, he added.
He added that they had requested that all recruiting agents in Bangladesh be allowed to send workers.
He further said they also requested regularization for those workers in Malaysia who have become irregular.
Dr Asif Nazrul added that they discussed other issues, such as recruiting security personnel, caregivers, and nurses from Bangladesh. The Malaysian side showed interest in hiring skilled workers, and discussions will continue. He noted that Malaysia’s Chief Adviser on the labor market is guiding them, and they are working accordingly.
