Malaysia to recruit more Indian workers

Meeting a long-standing demand of Indians in the country, Malaysia has approved the recruitment of 20,000 foreign workers from government-approved countries for the Indian-operated service sector.

India is one of the government-approved countries for Malaysian companies and businesses to hire workers, according to Kuala Lumpur-based sources.

Given the predominantly Tamil-speaking Indian community and businesses in Malaysia, preference would be to get the bulk of the 20,000 workers from southern states of India, they added.

Media reports from Kuala Lumpur quoted Works Minister S Samy Vellu as saying that the Malaysian cabinet also gave approval for the workers to be employed in mini markets and grocery shops, most of which were operated by Malaysians of Indian origin.

Earlier, approval was given to them to bring in foreign workers to work as goldsmiths, in hardware shops, beauty salons, Indian barbershops and restaurants.

"It is a relief for owners of the grocery shops and mini markets to be able to employ the foreigners," he said, adding that these shops were known to render extra services such as home delivery of goods.

Vellu, who is also the president of the Malaysian Indian Congress representing the Indian community in Malaysia, said the request for workers was made through the association and he took up the matter to the Cabinet for approval.

Speaking at the seventh annual general meeting of the Muslim Restaurant Operators Association, he said the process of recruitment could take up to three months.

Malaysia had recently apologised to India for the ill-treatment of nearly 200 Indian IT professionals on March 9 by police.

Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has since stressed on the need for Malaysia to maintain good relations with India.

UNI