Atiqur, 45, who identified himself by only one name, said he came to Malaysia with hopes of providing a better life for his family in Bangladesh.

“The currency here is stronger,” he said, comparing the ringgit to the Bangladeshi taka at the exchange rate of 100 taka to 4 ringgit.

“I hope with this, I can help to provide a better quality of life for my family,” Atiqur said. He spent RM16,000 for his trip here, including paying for a “Calling Visa”, part of a government programme to bring in foreign workers from 15 source countries to work in various industries , especially for “dangerous, difficult and dirty” jobs.

Atiqur was among an influx of foreign workers arriving at KLIA, which the immigration department attributed to Malaysian employers rushing to bring them into the country before June 1, when unused quotas for foreign workers would be cancelled.

The prospect of better pay also tempted Najum and Hafizur, who also identified themselves by their first names, to take up a job with a construction company.

Unlike Atiqur, however, the cost of their flights were borne by their employers.

“In Bangladesh, we earn as little as 15,000 taka (RM600) a month. Here, we will earn RM1,800,” Hafizur said.

Another arrival, 28-year old Chowdhury, said he came on a “Calling Visa”, sponsored by a company where his brother works.

“However, I will not work with the company. I will have to find work elsewhere,” said Chowdhury.

Yesterday, migrant rights activist Andy Hall said the government should expect a “modern slavery related” challenge involving Bangladeshi workers who were rushed here to meet the deadline for agents to bring in those whose work permits have been approved.

Hall told FMT that the biggest problem was of the Bangladeshi workers being duped to come to Malaysia.