Malaysia may grant work permit to 80,000 refugees

The Malaysian government is mulling over granting work permit to around 80,000 refugees, after many sectors asked authorities to employ the group that waits to be resettled in third world countries.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the matter was being considered because the refugees' stay in Malaysia was only temporary.

Malaysia relies heavily on foreign labour especially in the plantation sector, construction industry and restaurants.

"The suggestion might work but we need to look at it from all angles. We will engage the Foreign Ministry and probably even foreign missions as well as other relevant authorities to get their views," he said.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the government needed to weigh all the pros and cons before implementing the new policy.

"It will benefit the country if refugees with certain expertise are allowed to work while they are here," local media reports quoted him as saying.