The government of Bangladesh has announced the commencement of the recruitment process for Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, following an in-principle agreement by the Malaysian government to recruit 10,000 workers completely free of cost.
Malaysian authorities have also agreed to list 338 Bangladeshi recruiting agencies, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment on Thursday.
The press release mentioned that Malaysia is one of Bangladesh’s most vital labour markets, where a large number of Bangladeshi workers have been employed for a long time.
Upon assuming office, the present government initiated steps to reopen and expand foreign labour markets that had been closed or restricted, placing special emphasis on Malaysia.
Based on eligibility criteria set by Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysian authorities agreed to list Bangladesh’s sole state-run recruiting agency, Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), alongside 25 private processing or service agencies and 312 recruiting agencies, bringing the total number of listed agencies to 338.
The ministry said the listed recruiting agencies will be permitted to independently locate employers in Malaysia, collect job demand letters, and conduct worker selection and recruitment from Bangladesh.
Moreover, at the special request of the Bangladesh government, Malaysia agreed in principle to hire 10,000 workers completely free of cost.
According to the government, this initiative creates an opportunity to establish a more open and participatory recruitment system in Malaysia’s labour market.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Bangladesh and Malaysia on 18 December 2022, provisions exist for selecting and listing Bangladeshi recruiting agencies based on qualification standards set by Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources.
During the interim government, a qualification verification process was initiated, resulting in a list of 423 recruiting agencies being forwarded to Malaysian authorities along with necessary documentation.
Following its assumption of office, the current government engaged in continuous discussions with Malaysia.
The prime minister chose Malaysia for his first official foreign visit and held crucial discussions with the Malaysian prime minister regarding the reopening of labour market for Bangladeshi workers.
Under the procedure, approved agencies in Malaysia will collect job demand letters and select workers. BOESL and the 25 listed processing or service agencies will assist with administrative procedures, including calling visas and e-visas.
Once necessary recruitment processes in Malaysia are completed, the respective recruiting agency will finish subsequent procedures in accordance with Bangladeshi regulations.
Each approved recruiting agency can obtain clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) for workers under its own licence.
In this context, BOESL and the 25 processing or service agencies can issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to approved recruiting agencies.
The government placed strong emphasis on reducing migration costs and ensuring transparency in the recruitment process.
The ministry said alongside creating new employment opportunities, workers must be protected from additional financial burdens, calling on recruiting agencies to conduct recruitment operations in compliance with national laws and while safeguarding workers’ interests.
Regarding health screenings, the process of finalising the list of approved medical centres for Malaysia-bound workers remains ongoing. Under the existing MoU, finalising this list is a joint responsibility of both Bangladesh and Malaysia.
To expedite the reopening of the labour market, the Bangladesh government had requested changes to existing medical centres.
However, final approval of a new list is scheduled to take place following an on-site inspection by a joint delegation representing Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Human Resources, and Ministry of Home Affairs.
As this process requires time, it was decided to begin operations using the remaining medical centres from the existing list approved by the Malaysian government, after excluding controversial centres associated with irregularities.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the three Malaysian ministries will visit Bangladesh as soon as possible to inspect and verify medical centres under new guidelines.
The ministry added that Bangladeshi authorities will regularly verify listed medical centres on the relevant Malaysian website, and any centre found committing irregularities will face immediate suspension.
New medical centres will be added to the list progressively, with revised lists published via the ministry and the official website.
Intending migrants to Malaysia can complete their recruitment process through listed and approved recruiting agencies and undergo medical examinations at approved medical centres.
No single medical centre will be given an exclusive monopoly to conduct health check-ups.
The Bangladesh government expressed its gratitude to the prime minister of Malaysia, the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources, and relevant authorities for their cooperation.
Describing the reopening of the labour market as a new chapter in bilateral labour cooperation, the government called upon recruiting agencies and workers to work collectively to make full use of this opportunity.
