BANGLADESH’S expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister will visit Malaysia soon to discuss the issue of harassment allegedly suffered by many of the country’s migrant workers, said The Daily Star.

“The ministry is aware of Bangladeshi workers’ harassment in Malaysia. If their (Malaysia’s) concerned minister cannot come to Bangladesh, I will visit the country soon to meet their minister to talk about the issue,” Nurul Islam was quoted by the Bangladeshi newspaper as saying in Parliament.

“The government will take measures so that Bangladeshi migrants can move freely and work without any harassment in Malaysia.”

However, he did not elaborate on the kind of harassment allegedly faced by Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, nor did he say when the visit would take place.

Malaysia is one of the largest employers of Bangladeshis working overseas, and presently employs almost two million of them.

The number of illegal workers in Malaysia is believed to have grown to more than one million in recent years.

Foreign workers, including those with valid permits and visas, often complain about mistreatment by employees and the authorities.

Under Malaysia’s immigration laws, illegal immigrants can be detained, imprisoned and fined.

Nurul Islam said the Bangladeshi High Commission in Kuala Lumpur was working closely with Putrajaya to legalise undocumented workers, many of whom were victims of human trafficking.

He said Putrajaya had provided e-cards to Bangladeshi workers, allowing them to register under a rehiring programme.

Foreign workers have until Saturday to register and obtain a permit under the programme. – September 11, 2018.