2 lakh Bangladeshi workers register in Malaysia

More than two lakh undocumented Bangladeshi migrant workers have registered their names with the Malaysian Immigration Department for being legalised and employed under a rehiring programme, according to officials. 

The registration under the rehiring programme for illegal foreign workers began February 15 and ended June 30, allowing employers to legalise foreign workers from 15 countries, including Bangladesh, after the registration.

“It's really a good initiative.... Under this programme, many of our people will be able to get legalised and employed here,” a senior official at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur told The Daily Star on June 27.

The initiative was deemed a blessing for the Bangladeshi workers without valid documents. The undocumented migrants are frequently exploited by employers and harassed by law enforcers.

 The official said once legalised the Bangladeshis would be able to avoid exploitations and enjoy some basic rights including accommodation.

However, some Bangladeshis alleged that they were being harassed by law enforcers despite registering under the rehiring programme.

Bangladesh High Commissioner Shahidul Islam said the Malaysian law enforcers conducted regular drives to detain undocumented foreigners including Bangladeshis.

“It's not possible to say for sure that all people will be legalised under this programme. But we believe many of our people will get the opportunity to work here by obtaining valid work-permits when the authorities finalise the assessment of the programme,” he said by phone.

Asked about the fate of undocumented Bangladeshis after end of the rehiring programme, he said they were hopeful about legalisation of a good number of the migrants. “It's really difficult to determine their future here.”

Around 4 lakh Bangladeshis are working legally in Malaysia, but there is no exact number of the undocumented Bangladeshis there, he added.  Currently Malaysia is not hiring any foreign workers. The Southeast Asian country suspended recruitment of foreign workers from all countries, including Bangladesh, on February 19, a day after Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur signed a deal over hiring workers.

On February 18, Malaysian Human Resources Minister Richard Riot and Bangladesh Expatriates' Welfare Minister Nurul Islam signed a memorandum of understanding for recruiting 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers through government arrangements over the next three years.