Sunday, Mar 06, 2005
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Advts: Classifieds | Employment | International
By P.S. Suryanarayana
SINGAPORE, MARCH 5. India and Malaysia are exploring the possibility of entering into a "labour agreement" that could set out a mechanism for addressing issues concerning the employment of Indian workers in different categories of the Malaysian economy. While there has so far been no formal indication from either side about this exploratory move, the two countries are apparently engaged in sounding out each other. Draft proposals have been exchanged and there has been some "forward movement," according to sources who cannot be identified. It is not immediately clear though whether a bilateral accord on this sensitive issue will be signed and, if so, when. Issues relating to Indian labourers and other employees in Malaysia have remained on New Delhi's diplomatic agenda over the years. However, the subject has now acquired urgency following Malaysia's decision to end an extended period of amnesty in respect of "illegal" foreign workers and deport those staying on without valid visas and work passes.
`Illegal aliens'
While a negligible number of Indian nationals have figured in the first wave of arrests of such "illegal" aliens, the Indian authorities in Kuala Lumpur had issued about 16,000 "emergency certificates" during the amnesty period. The total included a number of cases other than those who attracted the definition of "illegal" aliens, but a safe passage to India was also provided to several thousands exercising the amnesty option. The overall objective of the labour-related discussions was to try and set out a framework for the recruitment of Indian workers and also such other issues as minimum wages, if agreeable to both sides, and other terms of employment, sources indicated. An important purpose was to prevent the recurrence of the phenomenon of "illegal" workers, whatever might have been the causes in the past. On a separate track, the Joint Study Group on the feasibility of a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement between India and Malaysia, set up recently, has begun work by identifying the areas of mutual interest and benefit.
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