BD workers in Malaysia asked to collect passports

Undocumented Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia have been asked to collect their passports from the Bangladesh mission in Malaysia by January 10, 2012. The workers who have registered their names for legalising their stay there have also been requested to apply with necessary documents and to be present personally for collecting their passports. Montu Kumar Biswas, Labour Counselor of Bangladesh Mission in Malaysia, informed the labour ministry about it, said a handout Sunday. The registration of illegal Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia started on August 1 and ended on August 31 under '6P-Programme.' - UNB Speakers urge govt to expand VAT net Speakers at a workshop Sunday urged the government to expand the VAT net for increased resource mobilisation to ease the burden on the poor. EquityBD, Tax Justice Network, Voice, Incidin Bangladesh and Rupantar jointly organised the workshop titled 'VAT and Pro Poor Resource Mobilisation' at Mukarram Bhaban of Dhaka University as part of the ongoing 5-day South Asian Social Forum. The speakers suggested the direct tax as a strong and effective means for resource mobilisation. - UNB