My views on the proposed 1.5 Million Bangladeshi Workers to Malaysia

1.5 Million Bangladeshi to Malaysia

There has been a lot of talk and discussion on the recent decision by the government to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi's to Malaysia in the next 3 years (average 500,00 per year) to work in Dirty, Difficult and Dangerous (3D) jobs. Here is my opinion:

1. The decision that was made by the government to rope in these Bangladeshi's are based on the request by employers and market demands (Refer here http://www.nst.com.my/…/govt-only-giving-market-demands-bri…). This follows the basic supply and demand rule. When there is demand, there is a need for the demand to be met.

2. I think it is also important to note that the 1.5 million Bangladeshi (cumulative) are not coming into Malaysia immediately. It is being spread into three (3) years via the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed by the government. This goes back to the basic principle of supply and demand. If employers need workers, they demand and the Bangladeshi government supplies these workers to meet the demand.

3. On the concern by Malaysians that Bangladeshi's will fill up all available vacancies in 3D jobs and Malaysians will lose out, this is again premature. Employers have a choice to either employ Malaysians or Bangladeshi's. Therefore it is entirely up to them. This also goes back to cost, skills, efficiency and productivity. If employers thinks they want to employ Malaysians, by all means they can do so.

4. Finally, it is important to take note that this is a Government to Government (G2G) plus understanding. Malaysia is not compelled or forced to take in the 1.5 million Bangladeshi's. This is based on supply and demand also the possibility of 3D jobs going to Malaysians as per No 3 above.

Just a food for thought,

1.5 million Bangladeshi's = 3 years 

500,000 = 1 year

41,667 = per month

1,344 = per day

An Airbus 380 super-jumbo jet can seat roughly 544 passengers per trip. Therefore daily for the next 3 years we will need 3 Airbus A380 making a trip from Dhaka to Kuala Lumpur to meet the 1.5 million manpower requirement that was requested by employers and the industry. This is one heck of a logistical nightmare.

Regards,