Govt urged to meet all conditions to reopen Malaysian labour market
Leaders of several recruiting agencies formed a human chain in front of the Expatriates' Welfare Building in Dhaka today, urging the government to fulfil the conditions set by the Malaysian authorities and immediately restart the process of sending workers to Malaysia.
The protesters warned that if the government delays any further, Bangladesh could miss the chance to send 12 lakh workers to Malaysia.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "This would result in a loss of around $5 billion in potential remittance earnings, especially as 13 other labour-exporting countries have already resumed recruitment under Malaysia's new system," the protesters said.
Following the human chain, a delegation comprising general members of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira) submitted a memorandum to the adviser on manpower export and overseas employment.
In the memorandum, Baira members stressed the urgency of reopening all suspended labour markets, especially Malaysia, in the interest of protecting migrant workers and the national economy.
"We are fully prepared to cooperate with the government in implementing any recruitment mechanism that ensures safe and low-cost migration," the memorandum stated.
Speakers at the programme included Farid Ahmed Majumder of Al Supto Overseas, Mohammad Mohiuddin of Purabi International, Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman of Earth Smart Bangladesh, AMS Sagar of EMS International, Mohammad Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan of Tasnim Overseas, Mohammad Atikur Rahman Biswas of Al Aqaba Associates, Sagar Mahmud of Al Ghaffari, Mohammad Moniruzzaman of Skyland Recruiting, Advocate Mohammad Sazzam Hossain of Arman Air International, Kafil Uddin Majumder of Freedom Overseas, Hawladar Forkan Uddin of SF Global, and Dubai-based businessman Mohammad Alauddin.
They collectively urged the authorities to act swiftly before the window of opportunity closes permanently.
They made the call in light of an announcement issued by the Malaysian government in March 2024 halting the entry of workers from Bangladesh and 13 other countries starting May 31. The suspension was attributed to various irregularities, including corruption and high migration costs, linked to recruitment processes.
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