From correspondents in Delhi, India, 09:31 PM IST

India and Malaysia will soon ink a deal on the welfare of Indian nationals employed in the Southeast Asian country, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi told parliament Thursday.

He informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) will lay down the institutional framework to facilitate cooperation for 'employment, protection and welfare' of Indian emigrant workers.

The proposed MoU also provides for the establishment of a Joint Working Group. Existing Indian workers will also be covered under the agreement.

The union cabinet gave its approval to the deal last month. A government press release, communicating the cabinet's decision, then said the agreement was required as the condition of Indian workers was not satisfactory.

'Complaints about ill-treatment and exploitation of workers have been received in the past. It is, therefore, important to enter into a formal MoU with the Malaysian government to lay down a framework of bilateral cooperation for the promotion of employment and protection and welfare of our workers,' the statement said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)