KL in talks with Bangladesh, other countries on hiring workers

FT ONLINE

The Malaysian government is discussing with several countries to sign memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the entry of foreign workers to the Southeast Asian country.

Malaysian Human Resource Minister M. Kula Segaran disclosed the decision on MoU taken by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's government in Ipoh of Perak state on Sunday.

He was talking to reporters after launching the 2018 Charity Fun Fair at the Sekolah Semangat Maju in the city.

Quoting the minister, Malaysia's state news agency Bernama reported on Monday that "Previous agreements (signed) with Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal and India have already expired except that with Sri Lanka."

"Even though we intend to sign it (MoU), but there are some restrictions that need to be settled first," the minister said.

He said among the problems that need to be addressed, include on salary and insurance for the foreign workers.

Kula Segaran, who is also the National Vice-Chairman of Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP) said that the independent committee that coordinates the overall policies and management of foreign workers, would begin its work in the second week of this month (October).

He said the committee would be headed by former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Yunus and former civil servants group spokesperson Noor Farida Ariffin.

Kula Segaran said the committee would travel around the country to gain insights on the hiring of foreign workers.

"This independent committee will make recommendations to the government after gaining views on foreign workers so that a holistic decision can be reached," he told the journalists.