Manila:The government has announced the resumption of recruitment for Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia after a lengthy closure of the labor market. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply through approved recruiting agencies.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment stated that Malaysia has agreed in principle to recruit 10,000 Bangladeshi workers at zero cost. This decision follows a request from the Bangladesh government, and 338 recruiting and processing agencies have been approved to facilitate the recruitment under the reopened labor market.
The initiative aims to ensure a transparent, competitive, and inclusive recruitment process while safeguarding workers' interests. Malaysian authorities have agreed to include Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), 25 private processing or service agencies, and 312 recruiting agencies based on Malaysia's eligibility criteria.
The approved recruiting agencies will identify employers in Malaysia, gather job orders, select workers in Bangladesh, and carry out recruitment activities in compliance with the rules. The government has prioritized reopening and expanding overseas labor markets, with a particular focus on Malaysia.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman made Malaysia his first official foreign visit after taking office, where he discussed reopening the labor market for Bangladeshi workers with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Subsequent discussions with Malaysian authorities respected Malaysia's laws and eligibility requirements, aiming to expand participation by eligible Bangladeshi recruiting agencies.
Recruitment agencies will collect job orders and select workers in compliance with Bangladeshi laws. BOESL and the approved processing agencies will assist with administrative procedures in Malaysia, including visa-related formalities. After processing, recruiting agencies will complete the necessary formalities in Bangladesh.
Each recruiting agency will obtain Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) clearance for its workers under its recruiting license. Processing agencies will issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) to facilitate the clearance process.
The ministry emphasized the importance of recruiting agencies creating more employment opportunities while complying with national laws and protecting workers from excessive recruitment costs. The finalization of approved medical centers for health examinations remains an ongoing joint responsibility of Bangladesh and Malaysia.
Bangladesh has requested changes to the existing list of medical centers to expedite the reopening of the labor market. Malaysia will begin operations through medical centers listed on its official website, excluding those associated with irregularities.
A joint Malaysian delegation will visit Bangladesh to inspect medical centers and prepare a comprehensive list under new guidelines. Centers listed on Malaysia's website are subject to scrutiny by Bangladeshi authorities and must comply with local regulations. Action will be taken against centers involved in irregularities.
Additional medical centers may be added to the approved list, with updates announced by the ministry. No single medical center will have exclusive control over health examinations, ensuring accessible and transparent services.
The government expressed gratitude to the prime ministers of Bangladesh and Malaysia, Malaysia's human resources ministry, and other relevant authorities for their cooperation in reopening the labor market. The broader goal is to create more jobs, improve transparency, and establish a sustainable labor market for Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia.