The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Kuala Lumpur

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday said there is a huge potential for Bangladeshi workers' jobs in Malaysia which the government would take every step to tap.

"Malaysia is planning at least four major development projects in the future. If we can plan carefully and our workers are able to satisfy employers, there is no reason why we should not be able to send hundreds of thousands in the coming years," he told members of the Bangladesh community here.

The adviser is currently in the Malaysian capital to attend a summit meeting of the Developing-8 (D-8) countries of the Islamic world.

The ministerial component of the conference commences tomorrow (Sunday) in preparation for the July 8 summit.

Iftekhar, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Overseas Employment and Expatriate Welfare, said contrary to some earlier reports, the Bangladeshi labour market in Malaysia is continuing to expand.

"Already there are over 445,000 Bangladeshis employed here from the reports I have received. If the current trend continues, by year-end the number should exceed half a million," he said.

Later in the evening, he visited the Bangladeshi workers' shelter house 'Semenyin Hostel' at Kajang, 60 kilometers away from the city, where about 200 Bangladeshi job-seekers are currently being looked after by the High Commission, providing them food and accommodation.

"I have listened to some of the issues of the workers that require to be addressed as we intend to accord top priority to welfare. I intend to discuss some of these problems with Malaysian Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, whom I shall be meeting day after tomorrow," Dr Iftekhar said.