Significant aspects of Bangladeshi workers' migration to Malaysia.
Published: 12 Sep, 2024 | Bangla Version

After being closed since 2008, Malaysia emerged as the second-largest labor market for Bangladeshis, following Saudi Arabia. In 2012, the governments of Bangladesh and Malaysia signed a G2G (Government-to-Government) agreement to streamline the migration process of Bangladeshi workers under government supervision.

Due to the stagnation in sending workers through government channels, the "G2G Plus" agreement was signed in 2016 with the approval of the Honorable Prime Minister. This agreement facilitated the migration of 278,000 workers in 2017-2018 through a select number of 10 agencies.

The initiative by the Malaysian government encountered resistance from certain local agencies and neighboring countries, resulting in its suspension in 2018. However, a subsequent investigation by a high-level committee found no evidence to substantiate the allegations. On December 5, 2019, Malaysia's then-Minister of Human Resources, M. Kula Segaran, presented a report to the Malaysian Parliament confirming these findings and expressed the intention to resume recruitment from Bangladesh.

As a result, under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on December 19, 2021, the recruitment of workers resumed through 25 selected agencies. Subsequently, the Malaysian government approved 101 agencies, including BOESL, to facilitate the recruitment of workers. Many other agencies now collaborate with these approved 101 agencies to send workers to Malaysia.

With the Honorable Prime Minister’s kind consent, the overall process was completed, and the dispatch of workers resumed in August 2022. So far, 359,000 workers have migrated to Malaysia.

Currently, in addition to the 101 approved agencies, 500 to 600 other agencies are functioning within the supply chain system to facilitate the migration process. However, the involvement of middlemen who engage in buying and selling visas with employers before allocation to these approved agencies has resulted in increased migration costs.

If workers were dispatched solely through authorized agencies, migration costs could potentially be reduced by up to 50%. However, achieving this reduction would necessitate comprehensive government support, as there may be resistance from associated agencies and individuals engaged in visa trading.

In the context of sending workers to Malaysia and the Middle East, existing workers frequently participate in visa trading directly with employers on an individual basis. This practice, combined with middlemen controlling the supply chain, significantly contributes to the increased cost of migration.

It is challenging for the government or recruiting agencies to exert direct control over migration costs due to the significant role that middlemen play in visa trading.

Given that the salary in Malaysia is relatively higher, with a minimum of 1,500 Ringgit, workers can recover their migration costs within 5 to 6 months. Subsequently, they can remain abroad for a duration of 5 to 10 years, remitting their earnings back home.

The process of sending manpower abroad has been ongoing since its inception and operates in a cyclical manner. One group incurs debt to migrate, works for several years to achieve financial stability, and then returns home, making way for another group to take their place.

Due to the increased migration to Malaysia, the country has advanced from the 8th to the 6th position in terms of remittance earnings.

Malaysia has already allocated a quota of 487,000 workers, and a similar quota is anticipated to be allocated at the beginning of next year. This is expected to lead to the employment of a total of 800,000 to 900,000 workers under the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and process.

In addition to managing migration costs, it is essential to ensure safe migration, a conducive working environment, fair wages, and comprehensive benefits for workers. Furthermore, workers must be adequately informed about the terms of their employment to safeguard their rights and interests.

Integrating all stakeholders into an automated system and implementing a practical work framework will bring organization to this sector, ultimately enabling workers to reap the benefits effectively.

When legal migration is hindered, illegal migration processes tend to emerge. In 2014-15, numerous workers tragically lost their lives at the border after falling victim to fraud and abuse while attempting to migrate to Malaysia illegally through Thailand, following the suspension of legal migration pathways.

A small portion of the 359,000 workers who have already migrated are facing difficulties in securing employment because the Malaysian government authorized companies to recruit workers without thoroughly vetting all applications. However, Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources has established a support system to assist these workers in finding employment opportunities with other companies.

Workers who travel to Malaysia on tourist visas and engage in illegal employment encounter significant challenges when issues arise, as they lack legal protection. This situation not only complicates their circumstances but also creates problems for those who migrate with legitimate work visas.

To overcome these challenges, it is essential to thoroughly discuss and address these issues in the Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings between Bangladesh and Malaysia.