Fruitful Meeting Between Heads of Government: Safe Employment for 1.2 Million Bangladeshi Workers in Malaysia

1.2 Million Bangladeshi Workers Expected to Secure Safe Employment in Malaysia | File Photo

The meeting emphasized prioritizing workers’ interests in implementing the migration process, with both leaders reaching a consensus.

In a meeting held on Tuesday (August 12) in Malaysia’s capital, Putrajaya, between Malaysia’s Prime Minister and Bangladesh’s Interim Government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, fruitful discussions took place on various memoranda of understanding, including the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers. Stakeholders are optimistic that Bangladeshi workers will soon have the opportunity to migrate to Malaysia at low cost.

Sources from the meeting revealed that both leaders agreed to prioritize workers’ interests in implementing the migration process. Two rounds of discussions were held in Putrajaya with the Malaysian government regarding the safe migration of Bangladeshi workers, with positive indications received about sending workers. According to stakeholders, although workers have been sent to Malaysia under existing laws and agreements, the high migration costs have drawn criticism. While Malaysia decided to recruit workers through a limited number of agencies, the previous Bangladeshi government involved a large number of agencies, leading to increased migration costs. However, almost all workers who migrated to Malaysia secured jobs and receive regular salaries and benefits, with no reported complaints. Notably, the minimum wage in Malaysia is 1,700 ringgit, nearly double that of Middle Eastern countries, making it a highly attractive destination for Bangladeshi workers. Sources indicate that between 2017-18 and 2022-24, 750,000 Bangladeshi workers migrated to Malaysia through an online digital platform, all of whom are receiving regular work and wages. Despite no complaints from workers, some agency owners have filed lawsuits with baseless allegations against agencies legally sending workers to Malaysia. The Malaysian government has stated that no irregularities occurred in the migration process. After extensive investigations, Bangladesh’s relevant agencies reported to the court that the allegations lacked evidence. Negative campaigns, lawsuits, and protests by some agency owners in Bangladesh have caused embarrassment for the Malaysian government, making them hesitant to recruit new workers from Bangladesh. Stakeholders noted that Tuesday’s high-level meeting has rekindled hope. The discussions prioritized workers’ and national interests, focusing on their safety, protection, and cost-effective, profitable employment. Past experiences show that whenever opportunities arise for Bangladeshi workers to migrate to Malaysia, certain agencies involved in labor export create obstacles through protests, human chains, and media misinformation. Keeping this in mind, both leaders agreed to implement a migration process that ensures workers’ rights, benefits, and safety. Migration experts highlight that Malaysia is Bangladesh’s second-largest labor market after Saudi Arabia, with over one million Bangladeshi workers currently employed there. These workers enjoy better wages and social security compared to the Middle East. However, some agencies and individuals, driven by competing interests, work against the interests of Bangladesh and its workers. They further stated that the cordial discussions between Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser and Malaysia’s Prime Minister covered trade, education, defense, and workers’ welfare constructively. However, certain vested groups are portraying these talks as a means of exploiting and oppressing Bangladeshi workers. A labor export businessman noted that individuals like Andy Hall, known for migration expertise, and a Bangladeshi researcher named Rahman have issued damaging reports, suggesting that Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia are enslaved. In reality, the one million workers currently employed there directly benefit one million families in Bangladesh, with an average of three billion dollars in remittances annually. This is an ongoing process, with old workers returning and new ones migrating. Critics cannot provide alternative employment solutions for these workers or their families. The high-level meeting ensured a transparent and dignified recruitment process and social security for workers, creating opportunities for a significant number of new workers in Malaysia. Additionally, the recruitment process for around 8,000 workers who received visas but couldn’t travel to Malaysia on time has begun. Stakeholders are hopeful that over the next six years, at least 1.2 million or more workers will have employment opportunities in Malaysia. They believe that the high-level discussions will resolve all complexities, reopening Malaysia’s labor market for Bangladeshi workers soon. The government is working toward ensuring safe employment at low migration costs.