Malaysian attache for Chennai to assist in labour recruitment

Kuala Lumpur, Oct.15 : Malaysia will station a labour attache in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from next year to facilitate the smooth intake of foreign workers from India. The New Strait Times quoted Malaysian Human Resources Minister Dr. S. Subramaniam as saying that Chennai was chosen as a majority of workers from India were sourced from Tamil Nadu.

Subramaniam said the labour attache would be able to assist recruitment agencies there on a host of issues including employment rules, immigration regulations, laws of the country, culture, customs, accommodation and the role of agents.

"The attache will also help provide induction courses for prospective workers intending to come to Malaysia. This is to ensure that foreign workers do not run foul of the law when employed here," he said.

"It will also give them a better understanding of what to expect in Malaysia and get settled comfortably," Subramaniam added after a meeting with India's Overseas Indian Affairs and Parliament Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi yesterday.

There are an estimated 138, 000 registered foreign workers from India employed in Malaysia mainly in the service, agriculture, information technology and manufacturing sectors.

Subramaniam said both governments would sign a bilateral agreement by January to establish a joint committee on labour issues affecting their workers.

Ravi said the joint committee would coordinate and provide avenues for technical training for workers from both India and Malaysia, who wished to gain employment through the proper channels.

"We want both countries to benefit and not allow their workers to be caught in any wrangles."

ANI