The freeze on foreign workers that the deputy prime minister announced yesterday will not affect the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bangladesh to recruit its workers into the local workforce.

Human Resources Minister Richard Riot said this in a statement today in response to DPM-cum-Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's announcement yesterday of the freeze.

"I welcome the statement of the honourable deputy prime minister as it is a positive statement and clearly reflects the ministry's priority in providing employment opportunities for local workers.

However, this announcement does not affect the validity of the MOU signed with the government of Bangladesh," said Riot.

The minister, however, did not elaborate on the implication of the freeze on the MOU, saying further details will be announced without giving any specific time frame.

Yesterday, Bangladeshi Expatriate Ministry acting secretary Begum Shamsunnahar was reported saying the freeze was an " eyewash " to placate critics of the foreign worker influx and would not affect the recruitment of its nationals into Malaysia.

The issue hit the headlines recently after foreign news reports of the imminent signing of the MOU between Malaysia and Bangladesh was picked up by local media, triggering an avalanche of criticism of the government over the matter.

Though the plan to bring in the 1.5 million Bangladeshis was announced by Zahid in June last year.

Malaysiakini has contacted Riot's office to obtain his clarification of the matter and is awaiting a reply.