KUALA LUMPUR. Mar 2: Bangladesh has appealed to Malaysia to crack down on syndicates believed to be raking in millions of dollars by ex-ploitingBangladeshi workers here, AFP quoting a report said.

"These syndicates are Just coming for outright exploitation. Our request is that the government come down hard on them," Wajid All Khan Panni, Bangladesh High Commissioner was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

The majority of Bangladesh workers in Malaysia, totalling about 300,000 are employed in the services sector such as petrol stations, supermarkets and restaurants.

Panni said that despite continuous efforts by authorities to crack down on these syndicates, much tougher measures were needed to curb the problem.

He also said the current economic downturn has spawned a new form of exploitation.

"Workers who are retrenched

or on the verge of retrenchment are promised new Jobs elsewhere. and money Is solicited for this purpose."

Panni said these syndicates, often led by Bangladeshis with permanent resident status in Malaysia, approach the workers with the pretext of finding them a job.

"And they take some money and cheat them. Sometimes they put them in some Jobs which were not very good and again they take some more money to find a better Job." he said.

He also alleged that some employers abuse workers by denying them basic rights such as insurance coverage and health facilities.

He said there were cases of employers deducting money from the workers salary for levy to be paid to the government.

"Levy and permits are employers' responsibility." Panni said.