Friday, August 4 2006 17:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kuala Lumpur: India's High Commissioner to Malaysia R.L. Narayan has said the various problems faced by Indian workers in the country will be addressed when the two countries sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on foreign labour.

Speaking at a luncheon dialogue with the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) and other Indian organisations here Wednesday, Narayan said the MoU was just one among the numerous issues being discussed to solve the problems of Indian workers, the Malaysia Star newspaper said.

At 140,000, Indians form the third largest foreign work force in Malaysia.

"I am sure we will be able to resolve the problems amicably," the Star report quoted Narayan as saying.

He said the number of Indians coming to Malaysia had doubled since 2004 after the Malaysian government allowed recruiting agents to hire workers from India.

This also led to many workers being cheated by rogue recruiting agents besides many entering this Southeast Asian country illegally.

The Indian high commission has repatriated 4,800 such people in the last 18 months, he said.

Though Narayan did not say why the signing of the MoU between India and Malaysia had been delayed, the Star report quoted sources as saying that it was due to the disagreement on the need to include a minimum-wage requirement in the contract.

The envoy, however, said India welcomed Malaysia's decision to centralise the recruitment of Indian workers through the country's Construction Industry Development Board's subsidiary, Construction Labour Exchange Centre Bhd (Clab).

"We are working with Clab to see that this process of recruitment is instituted quickly," he was quoted as saying.