Following a Memorandum of Understanding signed on December 19, 2021, between Bangladesh and Malaysia, 101 approved agencies are facilitating worker migration to Malaysia. This process aligns with similar procedures in Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. Agencies unable to send workers to Malaysia sometimes hinder the migration process by filing complaints against listed agencies. Internal disputes and investigations by local authorities impact the recruitment process in Malaysia, thus affecting the remittance flow negatively.
A comprehensive plan by the ministry to manage and oversee the migration sector effectively is essential. By involving investigative agencies in a structured approach, the current instability could be alleviated, ensuring that Malaysia’s labor market remains accessible to Bangladeshi workers for the long term.
Based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Bangladesh and Malaysia on December 19, 2021, and the agreed minutes from the subsequent Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings, a total of 472,476 workers migrated to Malaysia from August 8, 2022, to May 31, 2024, through 101 recruiting agencies approved by the Malaysian government, including BOESL. In terms of foreign remittance earnings, Malaysia moved from 8th to 5th place in the 2023-24 fiscal year and has risen to 4th place in the first two months (July-August) of the current 2024-25 fiscal year.
The migration process for Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia has been carried out in a manner similar to that used for other regions, including the Gulf states, the Middle East, and Singapore. In countries like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Singapore, not all agencies are authorized to send workers. Only Bangladeshi recruiting agencies that have received approval from the relevant authorities in those countries are permitted to facilitate worker migration.
In the JWG meeting held on June 2, 2022, Malaysia took a firm stance on recruiting workers through a limited number of agencies and reserving the right to select these agencies. Bangladesh, in the interest of securing overseas employment opportunities for its workers, had to agree to this proposal.
Among the 101 agencies approved by the Malaysian government, quotas for worker recruitment are allocated through an auto-allocation system. Subsequently, demand letters are verified by the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia. The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment issues recruitment permits for the workers specified in these demand letters. Once the selected workers receive their visas, BMET grants final exit clearance, allowing them to travel to Malaysia. Therefore, the same migration process is implemented as in other countries.
Agencies that are unable to send workers to a specific country often attempt to disrupt the migration process by disseminating negative propaganda and pursuing legal actions against the authorized agencies in those countries.
Recruiting agencies involved in the migration process are often fragmented into different factions, with one group frequently lodging complaints against another or against specific agencies. This can escalate to the extent of filing grievances with organizations such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) or law enforcement agencies.
When a recruitment agency responsible for sending workers to a particular country is subjected to investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) or domestic law enforcement, it can lead to penalties for the listed agencies in that country. Additionally, negative media coverage may skew employer perceptions in the destination country, resulting in disruptions to the migration process. Such scenarios adversely affect overseas employment opportunities, hinder remittance flows, and ultimately undermine the overall manpower export sector of the country.
In accordance with the government's Allocation of Business Rules, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment is designated as the authority overseeing all aspects of the manpower export sector. Consequently, it would be advantageous for both the sector and the nation if all disputes or complaints related to manpower export were initially examined and addressed by the ministry under the Immigration Ordinance. This proactive approach could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the resolution process, fostering a more stable and transparent environment for all stakeholders involved.
In light of these circumstances, it would be prudent to suspend any ongoing or potential investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) or law enforcement agencies concerning the migration of Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia. Additionally, permitting the agencies involved in manpower export to operate under existing regulations, while undergoing necessary oversight and assistance, would alleviate the current instability and mental stress within the sector. Such measures would facilitate the reopening of Malaysia's labor market for Bangladeshi workers, ultimately leading to a reduction in migration costs and an anticipated increase in foreign employment opportunities and remittance inflows.
