Inundation Of Foreign Workers To Worsen If 1.5 Million More Allowed Into Malaysia - MTUC

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- The government's intention to allow another 1.5 million Bangladeshis to enter Malaysia will only serve to aggravate the inundation of foreign workers in the country, said Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) President Mohd Khalid Atan. He said the number of foreign workers in the country, regardless of whether they came in through legal or illegal means, was now estimated at seven million. Describing the level as serious, he said only 2.1 million of them - which itself was a substantial number - possessed work permits and were registered with the Immigration Department. "We disapprove... we don't understand why the government wants to bring an extra 1.5 million workers from Bangladesh when we already have huge numbers of foreign workers... in fact, we have more than enough. "As a matter of fact, we don't even know the exact number of illegal immigrants currently in the country. First the government should stem the inflow of illegals, then it can talk about bringing in more workers," said Mohd Khalid, When contacted by Bernama. On June 25, Malaysian Home Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported to have said in Melaka state that 1.5 million workers from Bangladesh would be brought into Malaysia in stages over three years to fulfil the demand for workers in various sectors. At another function, the minister said efforts to bring in the workers would only begin after Malaysia has completed the deportation of illegal immigrants currently in the country. Mohd Khalid questioned how the government could deport the illegal immigrants and, at the same time, prevent fresh illegal entries. "There's no control over the influx of foreigners because the government doesn't have a comprehensive and aggressive policy. Everything is being done on an ad hoc basis... the government must be more committed towards rectifying the situation. "Bringing in 1.5 million more workers will only lead to negative implications, and the decision will cause more harm than good for the nation. Which sector does not have enough workers? "By right, all the sectors should have enough as we have too many workers now," he added. -- BERNAMA