Bangladeshi workers in Syndicate vice

The existence of an organised syndicate led by a Bangladeshi businessman, which has raked in at least two billion Malaysian ringgits in just two years from Bangladeshi migrant workers, is terrifying. Because of this syndicate, migrant workers from Bangladesh had to pay Tk 4 lakh each to go and work in Malaysia, even though the maximum migration cost for each worker was set at Tk 37,000 under the G2G Plus deal signed in 2016 between the Bangladesh and Malaysian governments.

When it is the stated objective of the government to try to bring down cost for migrant workers, was it not aware that a syndicate was charging 10 times the maximum amount needed to seek employment in Malaysia? We understand from reports in the Malaysian media that elements in the previous Malaysian government were accomplices and that this allowed the Bangladeshi businessman running this unholy alliance to exploit aspiring workers. But what about the Bangladesh government? It was mentioned in the same report that this individual had bragged about having some government officials from both countries in his pocket. What steps has our establishment taken to protect its workers in Malaysia? Or has it even investigated what is going on because, as we understand it, it is primarily our government that is responsible for the wellbeing of our workers.

Making a killing from exploiting our hard-working workers isn't acceptable. Many aspiring workers sell their land, cattle, etc. just to be able to have the opportunity to make better lives for themselves, not to satisfy the greed of criminal syndicates.

Moreover, the government's ignorance of these facts is tarnishing our image abroad. Thus, it needs to launch an immediate investigation into the matter and severely punish those involved. It also must do more to protect our migrant workers from such criminals both at home and abroad.