Malaysia has agreed to resume recruitment of Bangladeshi workers, enlisting 338 recruiting and service agencies and agreeing in principle to recruit 10,000 workers free of cost, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment announced on Thursday.
The development marks a significant step towards reopening one of Bangladesh’s major overseas labour markets, with the government pledging to ensure transparent recruitment and reduce migration costs.
In a statement, the ministry said the Malaysian authorities had approved the enlistment of state-owned Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), 25 private processing and service agencies, and 312 recruiting agencies.
The enlisted agencies will be allowed to independently identify Malaysian employers, secure job demand letters and recruit workers from Bangladesh.
Malaysia has also agreed in principle to recruit 10,000 Bangladeshi workers at no cost following a special request from the Bangladesh government.
The ministry expressed hope that the initiative would pave the way for a more open, competitive and inclusive recruitment system.
According to the statement, Malaysia has long been a major destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, providing employment opportunities to a substantial number of people.
After taking office, the current government prioritised reopening overseas labour markets that had remained closed or restricted, with particular emphasis on Malaysia.
The ministry said the memorandum of understanding signed between Bangladesh and Malaysia on December 18, 2022, allows Malaysian authorities to select and enlist Bangladeshi recruiting agencies based on eligibility criteria established by Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources.
The verification process began during the interim government’s tenure, when Bangladesh submitted a list of 423 recruiting agencies, along with supporting documents, for Malaysian approval.
The current government subsequently continued negotiations to facilitate the reopening of the labour market.
During his first official overseas visit to Malaysia, the prime minister raised the issue with his Malaysian counterpart and sought greater employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers, according to the ministry.
Under the new arrangement, approved recruiting agencies will identify employers, collect job demand letters and select prospective workers.
BOESL and the 25 enlisted processing and service agencies will facilitate administrative procedures in Malaysia, including calling visas and e-visas.
Once the necessary procedures are completed in Malaysia, the recruiting agencies will carry out the remaining formalities in accordance with Bangladesh’s laws and regulations.
Each approved recruiting agency will be eligible to obtain clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) under its own licence.
BOESL and the enlisted processing and service agencies will issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) to facilitate the clearance process.
The government has also stressed the importance of reducing migration expenses and preventing financial exploitation of prospective workers.
Recruiting agencies have been instructed to comply with existing laws and ensure that workers are not subjected to excessive recruitment charges.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Malaysia are working to finalise a list of authorised medical centres for health examinations of Malaysia-bound workers.
Under the existing agreement, both countries are responsible for approving medical facilities.
The ministry said Bangladesh had requested revisions to the existing list of medical centres to expedite the reopening process and address concerns over alleged irregularities.
However, approval of a new list will require on-site inspections by a joint Malaysian delegation comprising representatives from the ministries of health, human resources and home affairs.
As the inspection process is expected to take time, both sides have decided to initially allow medical examinations at centres remaining on Malaysia’s existing approved list, excluding those linked to controversies or irregularities.
A delegation from the three Malaysian ministries is expected to visit Bangladesh soon to inspect medical centres under the revised guidelines.
The ministry said approved medical centres would be monitored regularly, and any facility found involved in irregularities would be required to suspend operations.
Additional medical centres will gradually be included following verification, while updated lists will be published through the relevant official websites.
The ministry clarified that no single medical centre would enjoy exclusive authority to conduct health examinations for Malaysia-bound workers.
Prospective migrants will be able to complete recruitment procedures through approved agencies and undergo medical examinations at authorised facilities.
The Bangladesh government thanked the Malaysian prime minister, the country’s Ministry of Human Resources and other relevant authorities for their cooperation in reopening the labour market.
Describing the development as a new chapter in bilateral labour cooperation, the ministry called on government agencies, recruiters and prospective workers to ensure that the recruitment process remains transparent, lawful and beneficial to Bangladeshi migrants.