Lip Eng: Jailed Bangladeshis shows need to streamline worker permits

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has said that the plight of over 1,000 undocumented Bangladeshis in Malaysian prisons highlights the need to streamline the processing of foreign workers’ applications under one ministry.

Lim said this needs to be done as the layers of bureaucracy enable corruption.

“It is about time for the government to heed the advice to amend the law to enable one single ministry instead of multiple ministries to be in charge of the applications, vetting, processing and renewing the necessary documents for foreign workers. 

“The more the bureaucracy, the more opportunities for corruption," he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, an MP from Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League Party, Tanvir Shakil Joy, said that as many as 1,000 Bangladeshis have been duped into working in Malaysia but ended up languishing in prisons due to their undocumented status.

Loopholes and corruption?

“As an MP, I am equally and deeply grieved over the plight of these prisoners and their families in Bangladesh, many of whom have been scammed, exploited, and extorted in hopes of working in Malaysia,” Lim said.

“Many of them have sold their properties to pay their way here but they ended up being placed behind bars for crimes they did not commit. 

“These Bangladeshis come to Malaysia hoping to get unattractive, lowly paid menial work often labelled ‘dirty, dangerous, and difficult’ (3D) that very few Malaysians are willing to do.”

He added that many from other countries took on these jobs to escape poverty.

“The question that many of us have been asking time and again is: ‘How on earth could these undocumented migrant workers be allowed to enter our country without the knowledge of our authorities, especially the immigration department?’

“There must be some loopholes and corruption involved, and the culprits that brought them here or facilitated their entry must, therefore, face the full wrath of the law.

“Furthermore, unless they were involved in criminal activities, these Bangladeshis who have become victims of injustice should be allowed to apply for job vacancies in the country instead of bringing in new workers,” said Lim, adding that placing them behind bars will only strain prison resources. - Mkini