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.