Zahid tells critics 1.5 million Bangladeshis are to fulfil demand
DPM says government does not make decision just to make money from levy and says workers will be coming in stages over three years.
PUTRAJAYA: The 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers coming to work here over the next three years are to meet the requests of various sectors in the country.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed widespread claims that it was the government that wanted to bring in the workers.
At a press conference held after chairing a Cabinet committee meeting on the halal industry here, Zahid emphasised that the decision to bring in the workers was made based on market demand.
The Home Minister stressed that the decision was made not to profit from the levy, as suggested by critics.
“They have to remember that the intake of workers is based on market demand. It is not us that want to bring in the workers.
“We are also not going to bring in all 1.5 million workers immediately. The intake will be phased out over three years.
“The foreign workers will be brought into the country in stages and it will be based on the requirements of the work force.”
According to Zahid, the government is currently in the process of preparing the necessary documents and Human Resources Minister Richard Riot will be signing the agreement with Dhaka once the Cabinet gives its approval.
Dhaka Tribune previously reported that the workers would enter Malaysia under the Government-to-Government (G2G) Plus scheme, which allows them employment in the construction, services, manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram
The workers would be trained in the sector they will be serving before they are given employment.