THE Bangladeshi Government had requested Kuala Lumpur to allow the nation’s workers, who got stranded due to the lockdown, to return their workplaces in Malaysia.
According a to a report by Bangladeshi daily The Daily Star, the call was made by the newly appointed Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Hazanah Md Hasim, who communicated the message to the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam at the foreign ministry on Thursday.
Malaysia currently houses to around one million Bangladeshis. The annual trade volume between the two countries is about US$2.4 bil, with Bangladesh exporting products to Malaysia worth US$260 bil.
Earlier today, FocusM reported the plight of Bangladeshi workers stranded in their homeland, struggling to make ends meet as they are not allowed to return to Malaysia due to the pandemic.
The two workers interviewed said that they are unable to get employment in Bangladesh as many of its employers refuse to take them, fearing they may quit abruptly once Malaysia reopens its borders.
“My children cry for milk but I have no money. I can’t fulfill any of my children’s needs and making me feel like a loser.
“There are times I have even considered selling off my kidneys for my family’s sake,” 35-years-old Salim (not his real name) tearfully told FocusM when contacted.
It is estimated about 25,000 Bangladeshi workers are stranded in their homeland due to the pandemic lockdown.
During the talks, Shahriar was reported to have requested the high commissioner to extend support to the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry to find a solution to the current migrant issue.
“And Hazanah assured him that she will find solutions to the stranded Bangladeshi workers and students and address them to her higher authorities,” it said.
On the recalibration programme for regularisation and voluntary repatriation of migrant workers, Shahriar expressed gratitude to the Malaysian Government for supporting Bangladeshi expatriates during the pandemic.
“And he also thanked Malaysia for its strong political and humanitarian support in favour of the Rohingyas and sought a pro-active role, from both Asean and Malaysia, for safe and sustainable repatriation of the refugees to Myanmar,” it added. – Jan 9, 2021
