The Malaysia government is yet to inform Bangladesh formally about its decision to halt the recruitment of new foreign workers into the country.

"Bangladesh government will take decision of its next initiative on the matter," Begum Shamsun Nahar, acting secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, told reporters at her ministry office this morning.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamid yesterday said the cabinet decided to halt the recruitment of new foreign workers into the country.

The Malaysian government's decision yesterday officially halted the recruitment of 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers.

Drawing huge criticisms from Malaysian trade unions, NGOs and civil society, Kuala Lumpur had signed a manpower deal with Dhaka on February 18 amid economic downturn and political conflicts in the Southeast Asian country and fear of corruption in the recruitment process.

The deal was called G2G Plus, meaning workers could be recruited both by private agencies and government.