There is no bar to sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia, the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment minister said on Tuesday, reports BSS.
“The government has made an all-out effort to continue sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia. The next decision on sending workers will be taken after holding a joint working group meeting with the Malaysian government,” Nurul Islam told a press conference at the ministry.
The minister said some changes could be made to the system of sending workers abroad.
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Dr Nomita Halder and Additional Secretary Aminul Islam were present at press brief.
Nurul said the new Malaysian government had cancelled the Sistem Permohonan Pekerja Asing, previously used to recruit Bangladeshi workers. Visas will no longer be issued through the system.
But those who had already received visas through the system would be allowed to go to Malaysia, he added.
Nurul said that those involved in irregularities over sending workers to Malaysia would face legal action.
Nurul said Malaysia has a demand for 269,000 workers and the Malaysian embassy had issued visas to 235,000 workers. Some 32,000 visas were not issued due to problems involving 86 companies.
The minister said his ministry had approved 200,000 workers, and another 30,000 were awaiting permission.
He said those who have a valid visa and legal documents could go to Malaysia.
As many as 109,562 workers have gone to Malaysia this year. Some 900,000 Bangladeshis currently work in the south-east Asian country.
