Asif Nazrul hopeful about sending more workers to Malaysia

Bangladesh interim government's Law, Justice and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has said that Malaysia is set to recruit up to 150,000 foreign workers in the coming months, with Bangladesh receiving the highest priority.

Dr. Asif Nazrul said the Malaysian Human Resources Minister has assured that the country will take the largest number of workers from Bangladesh.

Dr. Asif Nazrul made these comments in a video message on Thursday, after bilateral meetings with officials belonging to the Malaysian Human Resources Ministry and Home Affairs Ministry in Kuala Lumpur.

Dr Asif Nazrul said that last year, during a visit to Bangladesh, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had promised to allow those workers who could not enter Malaysia last year to enter this year.

Based on that, many discussions have taken place and Malaysia has finalized a list of 7,926 workers for the first batch, who will soon be given the opportunity to work in Malaysia, he added.

Dr. Asif Nazrul added that they had requested that all recruiting agents in Bangladesh be allowed to send workers.

He further said they also requested regularization for those workers in Malaysia who have become irregular.

Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that they discussed other issues, such as recruiting security personnel, caregivers, and nurses from Bangladesh. The Malaysian side showed interest in hiring skilled workers, and discussions will continue. He further said that Malaysia's Chief Adviser on the labor market is guiding all stakeholders to this end.