Temporary pass a friendly, mature gesture - Bangladesh govt

The government of Bangladesh welcomes Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's recent announcement to issue temporary passes to illegal workers in the country.

Its Foreign Affairs Minister Shahriar Alam described the announcement as a good gesture, very friendly and mature.

He also stressed that Bangladeshi workers have contributed in building modern Malaysia.

"It is a very welcoming initiative. Bangladesh was listed as one of the resource countries in the past.

"And Bangladeshi workers have contributed in building modern Malaysia for the future and would love to continue that engagement," he said when met at the 'Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers on the Situation of the Rohingya Muslim Minority in Myanmar' today.

On Monday, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid said those who employ illegal foreign workers can continue to hire them as the government has agreed to issue temporary work passes for them.

The passes would be issued by the Immigration Department and employers must also pay a levy as per normal procedure for hiring foreigners.