Malaysia to recruit 10,000 Bangladeshi workers at zero migration cost

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Malaysia is preparing to recruit 10,000 Bangladeshi workers at zero migration cost as the two countries move to restart labour migration, with selection based on skills, experience and employers’ requirements.

Malaysian employers have already started issuing demand letters, while a delegation is expected to visit Bangladesh next week to discuss the required workers, skills and qualifications.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said workers would be trained according to employers’ needs before selection and sent through Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) and other recruiting agencies. He said the government had set conditions to prevent a repeat of problems associated with syndicate-based recruitment.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has begun attesting employers’ demand letters. Last week, it attested a request for 28 Bangladeshi workers from Malaysian supermarket chain NSK Trade City through Goodness Services Limited.

BOESL Managing Director Mohammad Rashedul Haque said priority would be given to recruiting the 10,000 workers through BOESL without migration costs. Candidates would be selected according to employers’ requirements, including expertise, experience and fitness.

Before sending new workers, BOESL plans to complete the migration of workers who were unable to travel before Bangladesh’s labour market access was closed on May 31, 2024. Around 120 to 150 workers are still waiting to travel, with the process expected to be completed by October 16.

Recruiting agencies said they have yet to receive detailed guidelines on worker selection, medical tests and training. Ariful said the medical examination process was still awaiting approval. Bangladesh currently has 17 approved medical centres.

On October 1, authorities sealed Human Diagnostic and Medical Centre in Paltan after finding that it had conducted medical tests and issued reports for Malaysia-bound workers without approval.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser and PMO spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the government was working to reopen the Malaysian labour market while prioritising Bangladesh’s interests. He said some complications remained over the existing memorandum of understanding and the framework established under the previous government.