Malaysia’s reopening of labor market welcomed by Bangladeshi workers, recruiters

Photo: Collected

Bangladeshi workers aspiring to migrate to Malaysia and recruiting agents have welcomed the reopening of the country’s labor market after a prolonged closure. They expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and others involved in the process, praising the move enthusiastically.

The announcement comes after the labor market remained closed for more than two years. Several changes have been introduced to the recruitment process this time. Employers and companies authorized to recruit workers will be able to select agencies of their choice from a list of 25 approved recruiting agencies.

Any agency will be able to send workers to Malaysia by paying a fee of only Tk 6,000. A total of 312 agencies will be allowed to operate with government approval, while efforts are underway to bring other agencies under the arrangement.

According to sources concerned, licenses obtained through any of the 25 approved agencies will be eligible for BMET clearance, subject to approval. This is expected to simplify the process of sending workers abroad and provide more agencies with opportunities to participate.

Workers planning to migrate to Malaysia said the country offers higher wages and better working conditions. They believe the reopening will allow workers to migrate more easily and help increase remittance inflows to Bangladesh. The announcement of the resumption of calling visas has generated excitement and enthusiasm among prospective workers.

Mohyuddin Rinku, a resident of Chatkhil in Noakhali, said his maternal cousin went to Malaysia in 2024 and is now working at a good company with a good salary.

“I have also been trying to go abroad for a long time. I had been waiting for the Malaysian calling visa to reopen. Alhamdulillah, the announcement has finally come. I hope I will be able to go this time at a lower cost,” he said.

Parves Alam of Chatmohar in Pabna echoed the sentiment. “I tried to go in 2024 but could not. I had been waiting for the Malaysian calling visa to reopen. Now it has reopened. I thank the government for this,” he said.

According to available data, 480,000 workers were sent from Bangladesh to Malaysia between 2022 and May 31, 2024. Malaysia subsequently closed its labor market to Bangladesh and several other countries on May 31, 2024. From June 1, the country also suspended the entry of new foreign workers.

After the prolonged closure, Malaysia’s Foreign Workers Centralized Management System (FWCMS), the platform for recruiting foreign workers, published a list of 25 Bangladeshi recruiting agencies on Friday (August 21). The publication of the list has renewed hopes among Bangladeshi workers. However, the Malaysian government has yet to formally announce when and through what process recruitment from Bangladesh will begin.

Meanwhile, recruiters said a group has repeatedly attempted to disrupt the Malaysian labor market whenever it is reopened by spreading misleading information.

Nazim Uddin, a manpower businessman in Nayapaltan, said Malaysia is Bangladesh’s largest labor market after Saudi Arabia.

“Other countries generally do not recruit workers without language skills or training. Malaysia is an exception. It recruits both skilled and unskilled workers, and knowledge of the language is not mandatory. The minimum wage there is 1,700 ringgit, along with overtime opportunities,” he said.

He also noted the religious and cultural similarities between Bangladesh and Malaysia, saying these factors make Malaysia an attractive destination for Bangladeshi workers.

“The market remained closed for more than two years. Now, through the sincere efforts of our honorable Prime Minister, the Minister, State Minister and Adviser for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, it has been possible to reopen the market. Workers will now have access to safe employment at a lower cost,” he said.

He thanked the prime minister and the expatriates’ welfare minister, adding that the new arrangement would allow almost all recruiting agencies to participate, making the labor market more open and accessible.

Shafi Uddin, a businessman based in Kakrail, said the labor markets in the Middle East have largely declined following the Iran-Israel war, with many workers returning home.

“At this time, the reopening of Malaysia’s labor market is very good news. We hope workers will be able to travel to Malaysia safely and at a lower cost,” he said.

He added that recruiters were also relieved by the opportunity to bring in jobs themselves and obtain BMET clearance under their own companies’ names.

According to Shafi Uddin, whenever initiatives are taken to reopen Malaysia’s labor market, a group attempts to obstruct the process.

“This group is involved in sending workers to Malaysia through various illegal means, including counter-setting. If workers are recruited through legal channels, their illegal business will come to an end. That is why they oppose legal recruitment. The government should take strong action against this dishonest group,” he said.

The 25 agencies listed by FWCMS on Friday are Bangladesh One Overseas Ltd, Bengal Human Resources Development, General Trading Company, Messrs United Gulf Services, Annesa Air International, At-Taqwa Overseas Ltd, Earth-Smart Bangladesh Ltd, Khan Jahan Ali Overseas, Messrs Al-Shotup Overseas, Motherland Overseas Ltd, Rifa International, Veli Trade International, A-Plus International, Al-Hayat Overseas, Valuka Overseas, Brothers Trading and Contracting Ltd, Chandpur International, Country Employment Agency, Goodness Services Ltd, Jewel Rinku Enterprise, Messrs Satkhira International, Mangrove Career Link, Neighbors Associates Ltd, Tania Trade International and Anchor Care Global Migration.

FWCMS has also published a list of 40 medical centers.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the interim government took initiatives to reopen Malaysia’s labor market. However, the market was not reopened at that time.

Later, after taking office as prime minister, Tarique Rahman visited Malaysia on his first foreign trip. His visit generated renewed hopes that Malaysia would reopen its labor market to Bangladeshi workers. Discussions on the issue intensified following the visit.

The process was subsequently finalized after Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Prime Minister’s Adviser and his office spokesperson Mahdi Amin visited Malaysia.

Regarding the reopening of Malaysia’s labor market, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the government is continuing efforts to ensure that all agencies affiliated with the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) receive opportunities to work.

“We hope all agencies will get the opportunity to work. We are also working to ensure safe migration at a low cost. We hope workers will be able to travel to Malaysia at a lower cost,” he said.