Malaysia is set to accept migrant workers from Bangladesh after concluding bilateral discussions with a signing ceremony for new recruitment terms at the end of this week, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
Malaysiakini understands that Bangladesh's Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad (above) will arrive in Malaysia on Dec 18, with the main agenda to meet Human Resources Minister M Saravanan.
"Signing of the memorandum of understanding on labour recruitment is expected to happen during his time here," said a source with knowledge of Imran's visit.
Another source in Putrajaya said several media in Bangladesh had also reported the signing ceremony could be held on Dec 19, despite it being a Sunday.
A check with Saravanan's office, however, revealed no further information.
Past recruitments from Bangladesh were done by 10 selected agencies through the Foreign Worker Application System.
The system was suspended by the then Pakatan Harapan federal administration on Sept 1, 2018 - on concerns over debt bondage linked to excessive fees.
At the time, negotiations on new recruitment terms led by former human resources minister M Kulasegaran had seen multiple delays, up until the Harapan government's downfall.
Saravanan revealed last month that Malaysia was concerned about becoming a "dumping ground" for Bangladeshi workers, in objecting to a request for 2,000 of its recruitment agencies to be allowed to send workers here.
'Concerns over new terms'
Meanwhile, migrant labour activist Andy Hall said there are still concerns over well-connected individuals and companies profiting from the new MOU at the expense of Bangladeshi workers.
Citing a document said to be the draft MOU terms, Hall said it stated that workers shall bear recruitment costs in Bangladesh, contrary to a reported "zero-cost proposal" negotiated during Harapan's time.
"It is the total opposite to the 2018 MOU with Nepal that says an employer has to cover all costs.
"Absolutely bizarre that in four years and despite the launch of Malaysia's National Forced Labour Action Plan, this MOU with Bangladesh actually goes backwards on the terms," Hall claimed.
He called on the government to be transparent in the recruitment process.
"This means avoiding past syndicates that have tainted particularly the Bangladesh-Malaysia migration corridor but also exist in all migration corridors coming into Malaysia," he added.
Last Friday, Saravanan said the cabinet has agreed on the recruitment of foreign workers for all sectors apart from the plantation sector, as well as the signing of the MOU with Bangladesh.
Based on the cabinet's approval, Saravanan said foreign workers would be recruited to the sectors allowed: plantation, agriculture, manufacturing, services, mining and quarrying, construction, and domestic service. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.