Malaysia Clarifies 200,000 Bangladeshi Worker Recruitment Claim Is Not Official

Photo: Collected

Diplomatic Correspondent: Malaysia has clarified that a reported plan to recruit around 200,000 Bangladeshi workers over the next six months does not represent an official decision of the Malaysian or Bangladeshi governments.

Malaysian Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said on Wednesday that he had contacted Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan regarding the issue and was informed that the claim made by a junior Bangladeshi minister was not an official government position.

“I have been in contact with the Human Resources Minister regarding the matter and he informed me that it was not an official statement from the Bangladesh government,” Fahmi said at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting.

He added that the statement was made by an individual whom he understood to be a junior minister and therefore should not be regarded as an official decision by the Bangladesh government.

The clarification follows reports that Bangladesh State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam had said Malaysia would recruit approximately 200,000 Bangladeshi workers over the next six months.

According to the earlier report, the recruitment was expected to begin in phases towards the end of September, with the process to be completed within six months. It was also reported that 10,000 workers would be recruited without recruitment costs.

The issue has drawn significant attention in Bangladesh, where Malaysia remains an important destination for migrant workers.

Bangladesh has been seeking the reopening and expansion of Malaysia's labour market for Bangladeshi workers. Labour cooperation was also among the issues discussed during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Malaysia in June.

The latest clarification, however, indicates that the reported figure of 200,000 workers should not currently be treated as a formally approved or officially announced recruitment arrangement between the two countries.

The development is expected to prompt further discussions between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur on the future framework for the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers, including ensuring a transparent, regulated and mutually agreed process.