Thursday, September 8 2005 14:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kuala Lumpur: With an increase in number of cases of Indians being cheated by agents promising lucrative jobs, India and Malaysia were considering an accord to streamline recruitment of workers.

Disclosing this in Kuala Lumpur, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said today (Sept 8, 2005) that the proposed MoU on recruitment will help both the employees and employers.

The Indian Government, on its part, would ensure that such agents who cheat innocent people promising lucrative jobs abroad were blacklisted and severely punished, said the Minister, who during his three-day visit held talks with top Malaysian leaders including Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

"The unscrupulous agents will be punished, police will take action in accordance with law. All states have been cautioned by the Centre to keep a strict watch on such agents," Ahamed told sources.

Last week 45 persons from Punjab and Gujarat, who were promised jobs in a supermarket in Malaysia by their agent, were left camping outside the Indian High Commission here after they escaped from their employer who was allegedly ill treating them and not paying them the promised salary. Several agents have been blacklisted by the High Commission here.

The Minister, in his talks with his counterpart Syed Hamid Albar, reviewed bilateral ties besides discussing various regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Ahamed said he had sought Malaysia's support to India's candidature for permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

"Our assessment is when the time comes Malaysia will take appropriate decision that will be helpful to us," he said.