As per the agreement (MoU) signed between Bangladesh and Malaysia, a total of 472,476 Bangladeshi workers migrated to Malaysia from August 8, 2022, to May 31, 2024. Following the fulfillment of the required quota of workers, the Malaysian government, via a circular dated March 1, 2024, informed 15 source countries, including Bangladesh, that it would temporarily halt the recruitment of workers after May 31, 2024. The Malaysian government made this decision to reevaluate labor demand in various sectors and determine future recruitment needs based on the statistics of workers joining the workforce under issued demand letters.
Initially, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment of Bangladesh did not give significant attention to this matter. Given that neighboring countries also supply workers to Malaysia and the severe ticket shortage during the Hajj season, many workers with valid visas could not travel to Malaysia. However, through active efforts by BAIRA (Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies), 45,031 workers managed to travel to Malaysia in May 2024 alone, utilizing a few chartered flights alongside regular flights. In contrast, 44,075 workers traveled from the remaining 14 source countries during the same month.
Notably, in response to employers' applications, the Malaysian authorities continued to issue e-visas until the end of May 2024, and BMET (Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training) continued to provide immigration clearance for e-visa holders. Despite this, many workers with clearance from BMET in the latter half of May could not travel to Malaysia due to the lack of tickets. It is worth mentioning that, since January 2024, the responsibility for processing e-visas shifted from the MEFC in Dhaka to employers, limiting approved agencies' ability to expedite the process. Furthermore, the ministry stated that approximately 17,000 workers who had obtained visas and BMET clearance could not travel to Malaysia, though an exact list of these workers was not available.
Following the cessation of worker migration to Malaysia on June 1, 2024, the ministry requested that workers with visas and BMET clearance register their details. Approximately 4,000 workers reported to the ministry and BMET, but the list of 17,000 workers mentioned by the ministry could not be confirmed. Subsequently, the quota-approved recruiting agencies were directed to refund all expenses to the workers.
With the formation of a new government through a revolutionary anti-discrimination movement, Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul assumed responsibility for the ministry and took immediate steps to resolve the issue. On August 28, 2024, he convened a meeting with all relevant stakeholders, where several important decisions were made:
The 101 recruiting agencies involved in sending workers to Malaysia must notify the ministry by September 3, 2024, after settling liabilities directly or through their respective associate agencies.
Associate recruiting agencies must notify the primary agencies by September 10, 2024, after refunding all liabilities to workers and providing proof of repayment.
Most of the 101 approved agencies complied with these decisions and refunded passports and payments to workers, either directly or through associate agencies. However, associate agencies showed limited progress, refunding only 25% of workers. On September 24, 2024, during a follow-up meeting, the Honorable Advisor emphasized the urgent need for all recruiting agencies, especially associate agencies, to expedite the refund process.
It is noteworthy that unauthorized recruiting agencies, not approved by the Malaysian government, purchased visas from employers through dummy demand letters and powers of attorney. This practice allowed unauthorized agencies to control worker selection and supply, sidelining approved agencies to mere processing roles. These unauthorized agencies exploited this control to inflate migration costs, sometimes charging workers as much as 500,000 BDT or more. Despite their actions, the responsibility was unfairly shifted onto the 101 approved agencies.
The Honorable Advisor, Dr. Asif Nazrul, recognized these challenges and, shortly after assuming his role, abolished the requirement for ministry approval following demand letters authenticated by labor wings in embassies. This decision aimed to reduce lead times in the manpower export process. His practical steps to refund payments to workers and streamline processes have been widely praised by stakeholders in the manpower export sector.
However, the lack of implementation of meeting resolutions and the Honorable Advisor's directives has created additional complexities, highlighting the need for further effective coordination and enforcement.
