Malaysia has officially reopened its labour market for Bangladeshi workers, with plans to recruit 1.2 million in the coming years. In a policy breakthrough, the country has also agreed to take 50,000 workers at no cost to them.
In a joint meeting held on Thursday in Putrajaya, the Malaysian government reached a policy-level agreement to resume labour recruitment from Bangladesh. The discussion involved Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, along with Dr. Asif Nazrul, advisor to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
As part of the agreement, Malaysia will also gradually take in 17,000 Bangladeshi workers who were previously stranded after receiving visas but were unable to travel. Among them, 7,926 are expected to be accepted in the initial phase.
The Malaysian side emphasized several conditions, including keeping migration costs at a minimum and ensuring full protection of workers’ rights. Transparency and accountability throughout the recruitment process were also stressed as key requirements.
Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul stated, “Malaysia has confirmed that Bangladeshi workers will be given priority in upcoming recruitment drives. The process will begin within the next few months, with an initial target of 150,000 workers.”
Additionally, Bangladesh requested that Malaysian authorities issue multiple-entry visas to workers and legalize undocumented Bangladeshi migrants already in the country. Malaysia reportedly responded positively, saying the requests would be taken under consideration.
Apart from labourers, Malaysia has shown interest in hiring skilled professionals such as nurses, security guards, and technical workers from Bangladesh.
Officials from both nations, including Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Shamim Ahsan and special assistant to the Chief Advisor Lutfe Siddique, also attended the high-level meeting. A follow-up meeting is expected to be held in Dhaka on May 21, where the recruitment procedures will likely be finalized.
A senior official from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare confirmed that discussions also covered legal cases against individuals involved in the previous labour export process. Malaysia reportedly asked for such cases to be withdrawn in order to ensure a smooth and transparent future recruitment initiative.
The decision follows a bilateral meeting held last year between Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Anwar Ibrahim and Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus during the former’s short visit to Dhaka.
LND/BG
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