Dhaka: Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman today announced that Malaysia has shown interest in recruiting approximately 200,000 workers from Bangladesh over the next six months. This development is attributed to the Bangladesh government’s sustained diplomatic efforts.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Zahed revealed that at a weekly briefing on various government activities at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room in the Secretariat. He mentioned that 10,000 Bangladeshi workers would be able to migrate to Malaysia free of charge, following a special request by the Bangladesh government. These workers will travel via a special chartered flight arranged by the government-owned Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), setting a precedent by reducing migration costs to zero.
Addressing efforts to dismantle labor market syndicates and expand recruiting agencies, Dr. Zahed noted that the Malaysian government approved 25 recruiting agencies. This decision was influenced by Bangladesh’s diplomatic stance to eliminate agencies involved in irregularities under the former Sheikh Hasina administration. In addition to these agencies, 312 more have been authorized as associate recruitment agencies, making a total of 338 agencies, including BOESL, eligible to send workers transparently.
The adviser stated that the process of sending new workers is expected to commence by the end of September. Additionally, the registration of previously unregistered Bangladeshi workers currently residing in Malaysia is underway.
Dr. Zahed also highlighted other government initiatives, including the phased distribution of Family Cards to 41 lakh families under the social safety-net program starting October 10. He assured that the country has a sufficient stock of 12 lakh 861 thousand metric tons of fertilizer. Under the Food-Friendly Program, 55 lakh poor families are provided 30 kilograms of rice per month at Tk 15 per kilogram.
To address electricity shortages in rural areas and enhance power supply to industries outside Dhaka, measures are being taken to reduce electricity consumption by Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) and Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) and distribute load-shedding evenly. The government aims to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply within the next one and a half to two years through the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and a new Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU).
Dr. Zahed also mentioned draft regulations by the Local Government Division for e-rickshaws and battery-powered rickshaws’ specifications and registration requirements, which will soon be sent to the Ministry of Law for approval.
Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, Additional Information and Broadcasting Secretary KM Abdul Wadud, and Deputy Principal Information Officer Mohammed Fokhrul Islam were present at the briefing.