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Malaysia - BD to work on ways to expand labour intake


Published : 17 Nov 2019 10:00 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 08:05 AM

A delegation from Malaysia is due to visit Dhaka on November 24 to meet the government at a Joint Working Meeting to work out on their commitment to hire Bangladeshi workers under certain conditions. 

Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Imran Ahmed said, “The Mahathir government has agreed to hire labour from Bangladesh. We will try to send people at a lower cost than needed before.”

Asked about the visit and the procedure of sending people to Malaysia, the minister said, “We have presented a number of important issues including the labour issue at the top level meeting of the two countries which were completed on November 6. The Malaysian delegation will visit Bangladesh on November 24.”

Replying to a question from reporters about the possibility of syndication, Imran Ahmed said, “Both the countries have reached a consensus on taking workers from Bangladesh to Malaysia through applications. I do not think there will be much profit by syndicating.”

According to sources, 621 recruiting agencies were allowed instead of 15 in just four years. Regarding the recruiting agencies, Ahmed said that action was being taken against them after receiving complaints. In case of irregularities in sending workers abroad, I shall order investigating and take action. The license will also be revoked if necessary.

The expatriate’s welfare minister said that there were allegations that syndicate brokers were becoming increasingly focused on moving to Malaysia. There have also been reports that many are spreading rumors about the closure of the labor market.

Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment Secretary, Selim Reza said that several agencies have already been fined following receipt of complaints.

Shariful Hasan, head of BRAC Migration Program, told Bangladesh Post that different agencies are trying to send workers abroad in their business interests. For this, most workers are inefficient regarding various matters. Despite being disqualified, they are sent abroad. This has adverse effects.

Regarding the illegal recruiting agencies, experts told Bangladesh Post that the government should increase its responsibility by ensuring accountability, increasing the accountability of agencies, ensuring workers and taking action against illegal agencies.