Malaysia to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers

Malaysia will bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers over the next three years for employment in the country which is heavily reliant on foreign labourers, a move questioned by some groups which warned that it would adversely affect the local workers and the economy.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that government is only giving in to market and employers' demands.
Zahid said that companies could not operate as they do not have enough workers.
"Malaysians do not want to work in their companies. The ones who work with them do not last long, forcing these companies to close down," he said.

Various groups in Malaysia have, however, questioned the government's decision to bring in the 1.5 million Bangladeshis, given that a large number of workers in the country remained undocumented.
The Federation of Malaysia Manufacturers (FMM) expressed fear that such large numbers could give rise to illegal workers and also adversely affect Malaysian workers and the economy.

They do not have enough workers because Malaysians do not want to work in their companies. The ones who work with them do not last long, forcing these companies to close down.
Malaysia relies heavily on foreign workers in restaurants, construction industry, factories, garbage removal and gardening.

The country sources its foreign workers from India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Bangladesh.
Malaysia is a Muslim majority country and many prefer to have workers from Muslim nations like Bangladesh and Indonesia.