Forty out of 52 Vietnamese stranded workers in Malaysia returned home on April 10 thanks to great efforts from Vietnamese and Malaysian authorities.
The Deputy Head of the Overseas Labour Management Department, Le Van Thanh, said the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia has worked with relevant Malaysian agencies, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Human Resources, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help the stranded workers complete necessary procedures. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and Labour Management Board in Malaysia have joined efforts to speed up the repatriation process.
Thanh said that Malaysia is a potential market for foreign workers. However, Vietnam should simplify procedures for Vietnamese labourers to work in Malaysia. Relevant agencies should seek trusted partners and introduce skilled workers to them.
Luu Quang Binh, Director of the Viet Ha-Ha Tinh Company (VIHATICO) which directly sent these workers to Malaysia, said after hearing that Asmana did not extend visas for Vietnamese workers, the company has negotiated many times with its partners and proposed the Vietnamese Embassy and the MoLISA as well as other relevant Malaysian agencies interfere to take these workers out of detention centre.
The company provided each stranded worker with VND1 million to return home and will help those who want to stay in Malaysia to resume their work as soon as possible.
On March 17, 52 Vietnamese workers and 30 Nepalese workers were temporarily detained by the Penang immigration department and were later moved to the witness protection centres in Kuala Lumpur and Malacca.
On March 31, these workers were sent back to the Penang immigration department.
