The Malaysian government has always ensured that the welfare and interests of Indian workers in the country are looked after, said Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said other measures taken included the registration of illegal workers under the 6P programme, only allowing the employers to hold their workers' passport with the consent of the employees, and requiring employers to pay their employees' salaries through bank accounts.

"We agreed to have further discussions on some other areas like the social security scheme which the Indian government is trying to implement for their workers overseas.

"I agreed to give the government's further cooperation to support any such ventures as long as it is within the framework of our law. It was a useful meeting which will further strengthen the mechanism which we have for the recruitment, management and safeguard of the Indian workers in Malaysia," he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after a meeting with Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi at his office, today.