Govt recalls 2 officers from KL, cancels licences of 4 agencies

FE Team | Published: October 10, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

The government has decided to call back two officers from the Bangladesh Mission Labour Wing in Kuala Lumpur (KL) and cancelled licences of four recruiting agencies amidst the on-going row over employment of the Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, reports UNB.
Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Secretary of the Overseas Expatriates Welfare Ministry Abdul Matin Chowdhury disclosed the government action at a press conference at the foreign ministry in the city Tuesday.
On October 3, the Malaysian cabinet decided to impose a temporary ban on fresh recruitment of the Bangladeshi workers in the wake of serious frauds by recruiting agents of both the countries.
This triggered protests and demonstrations by the Bangladeshi workers in Kuala Lumpur.
"This is a temporary step," the adviser said, quoting Bangladesh High Commissioner in Malaysia Major (retd) Khairuzzaman's report.
The Malaysian authorities told the high commissioner that this breathing space (ban period) would help resolve the problems facing the Bangladesh workers.
The adviser said the Malaysian government gave clearance to 3,47,000 Bangladeshi workers. Of them, 1,92,000 already left for Malaysia. The remaining workers will also be able to join works in Malaysia.
Chowdhury said everyday some 1,200 to 1,300 workers who have got the pre-ban clearance are leaving for Malaysia.
The foreign adviser, who also holds the Overseas Expatriates Welfare Ministry, and Secretary Matin were asked to identify the persons responsible for the plight of the Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia.
Some 23 Bangladeshi workers who felt cheated already returned to Bangladesh from Malaysia.
Secretary Matin recently led a delegation to Kuala Lumpur and held talks with the officers of the Malaysian home and labour ministries to resolve the problems.
In reply to a question, Matin said Malaysia has agreed to extend entry visas from one month to two months while the concerned companies will have to receive the Bangladeshi workers within 24 hours of their arrival in Kuala Lumpur.
Besides, job security and better coordination between the recruiting agencies of the two countries will have to be ensured.
The expatriates welfare secretary said the government will appoint lawyers in certain Malaysian provinces to ensure the interest of the Bangladeshi workers as well as appoint three extra welfare officers to handle the labour issues.
Matin said over Tk 13.5 million were realised from recruiting agents and the money were given back to the deprived workers.
He said licences of four recruiting agencies had been cancelled, one agency was shut down and security money of six agents was forfeited.
Meanwhile, our Staff Reporter adds: Malaysian police Tuesday obstructed some 770 disgruntled Bangladeshi workers aboard 27 buses on their way to the federal capital from Batu Pahat, Johor to meet the Bangladesh High Commission officials for narrating their plight, said the star online of Malaysia.
The workers left Batu Pahat at 3.30am and the convoy of buses reached the Sungai Besi toll plaza at 7am. Police, who had been informed, re-directed the buses to Stadium Merdeka instead.
Immigration director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don said the buses were re-directed in order to prevent the convoy from creating a traffic jam in the city.
When the buses arrived at the stadium area, the workers disembarked with their belongings. Wahid and Immigration officials were seen checking their documents.
Later, a group of 10 workers went over to the Dang Wangi police headquarters to discuss their problems with Wahid, Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zulkarnain Abd Rahman, and Human Resource Ministry officials. Also present was the high commission's labour counsellor, Talat Mahmud Khan.
They were given three options - return to the factories and the Immigration would speak to the employers about their salaries; opt for other jobs, or return to Bangladesh.
Wahid said since there were too many workers involved, their decision could take some time.
It said the workers, who arrived in Malaysia between January and April, claimed that they were promised by four textile factory proprietors' a monthly salary of RM1,200 each but ended up getting only RM200 or less.