Putrajaya, Mar. 11 : Malaysia’s Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar has informed that the Government has cancelled the work visas of about 55,000 Bangladeshis who have not used them so far.

“This group of workers will be affected by the current freeze and we have already decided to cancel past approvals for those coming here to work in sectors other than those approved,” The Star quoted him, as saying.

Work visas of at least 55,147 Bangladeshis, whose visas were approved as far back as 2007, have been frozen due to Malaysian Governments new efforts to reduce foreign workers in the times of gloomy global economy.

Hamid said the levy paid by these workers to get the visas would be returned to them as it involved a substantial sum.

He, however, added that foreign workers were allowed under a few categories such as plantation workers, domestic help and factory workers for the glove-making industry.

Earlier, Bangladesh High Commission labor counselor Talat Mahmud Khan had said more than 70,000 Bangladeshi workers were expected to arrive here soon to work in the plantation, construction and services sectors.

Hamid said the Immigration Department would meet officials from the High Commission to explain the Malaysian government’s stand on the freeze. (ANI)