By NNN-BSS
New York : Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury today said, Dhaka is in touch with the highest level of Malaysian authorities to resolve the stalemate on the employment of Bangladeshi workers there.
“We have been engaging with the Malaysian government in Dhaka, Kuala Lumpur and New York in the recent past, even at the highest levels, to seek an amicable resolution of the problem,” Dr Iftekhar, who is now in New York, said here when, asked for his comments on the issue.
The foreign adviser said, the Malaysian authorities in New York assured him that they did not impose any “ban” on Bangladeshi workers while it was just a “freeze” that implied possibilities of relaxation in the future.
“This will give us a breathing space we need.”
Dr Iftekhar said, Dhaka noted with concern the rising allegations of the exploitation of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia while “the welfare of Bangladeshis any where in the world is a major responsibility of the government”.
“While there still exists an understandable interest in the Malaysian labour market, we believe the time has come to seriously reexamine its various implications and ensure that the interests of our people are better protected,” he said.
“Our worker is not simply revenue generating machine and he or she must be protected from any form of exploitation, first and foremost,” the foreign adviser added.
Dr Iftekhar, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, said authorities in Kuala Lumpur told the Bangladesh High Commissioner that the flow of Bangladeshis will continue till the number already approved is exhausted.