Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia have claimed that they were conned by rehiring agents at a loss of 1.8 million Malaysian Ringitts (BDT Tk37,332,000).
Imran Haq Uzzal, one of the victims, on Sunday, at a press conference, said he and some other workers handed the agent their passports, other relevant documents, and gave RM7,200 to RM8,000 per head ,but nothing resulted from it.
Thus, the Malaysian Immigration Department is returning them to Bangladesh as they were not getting selected for the rehiring program, reports The Star Online Malaysia.
Imran said: “I have been working in Malaysia for about seven years. When the Immigration Department introduced the rehiring program, I saw it as a golden opportunity to continue working in the country."
The company from where they sought visas is located in the Klang Valley.
“During multiple inquiries, the owner of the company only gave us excuses till the end,” Imran said.
“The owner continuously gave us assurances that we will get the visas,” said Mohammad Alagir, another Bangladeshi worker.
He also said: “Our dreams were shattered, when we were refused a visa.”
Mohammad claimed the owner also threatened him and the other workers.
They reported the matter to the police, the Immigration authorities, as well as their embassy.
The workers are predominantly from the construction sector of the Klang Valley, but they also come from other states.
Mohammad said: "We want justice. We hope the Malaysian authorities can assist us in getting our permits. If they can't, then we hope to get our passports back so that we can go home."
The rehiring program for illegal migrants began on February 15, 2016.
“Those who got a visa from the program can work in the: manufacturing, construction, plantation, agriculture, and service sectors,” said Malaysian Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
(1 RM=Tk20.74)
