Malaysia reopens labour market to Bangladeshis

Malaysia has reopened its labour market to Bangladeshi workers after a suspension of more than two years, bringing fresh opportunities for thousands of prospective migrants and renewed business prospects for recruiting agencies.

The reopening has been welcomed by workers and manpower businesses, who have expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and others involved in the process.

The new recruitment arrangement also introduces changes aimed at widening participation by recruiting agencies, simplifying the process and reducing migration costs.

Under the new system, Malaysian employers and authorised recruiting companies will be able to choose agencies from a list of 25 approved Bangladeshi recruiting agencies.

In addition, any of the 312 government-approved agencies will be able to send workers by paying a Tk 6,000 fee, according to sources familiar with the process.

The government is also working to bring more recruiting agencies into the system, the sources said.

The 25 agencies currently approved for recruitment are Bangladesh One Overseas Ltd, Bengal Human Resources Development, General Trading Company, United Gulf Services, Annesa Air International, At-Taqwa Overseas Ltd, Earth-Smart Bangladesh Ltd, Khan Jahan Ali Overseas, Al-Shotup Overseas, Motherland Overseas Ltd, Rifa International, Veli Trade International, A-Plus International, Al-Hayat Overseas, Valuka Overseas, Brothers Trading and Contracting Ltd, Chandpur International, Country Employment Agency, Goodness Services Ltd, Jewel Rinku Enterprise, Satkhira International, Man Grove Career Link, Neighbours Associates Ltd, Tania Trade International and Anchor Care Global Migration.

The Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS) has also published a list of 40 approved medical centres for prospective workers.

Govt seeks lower-cost migration

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the government was working to ensure that all agencies affiliated with the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) get opportunities to recruit workers for Malaysia.

“We are continuing our efforts to ensure that all BAIRA member agencies get work. We hope all agencies will eventually have the opportunity to participate,” he said.

The minister said the government was also working to ensure safe migration at a lower cost.

“We hope workers will be able to go to Malaysia at a lower cost,” he added.

The revised mechanism is expected to increase competition among recruiting agencies and reduce dependence on a limited number of agencies, according to industry insiders.

They said wider participation could also help curb excessive recruitment costs and make overseas employment more accessible to Bangladeshi workers.

Market reopens after over two years

Malaysia’s labour market had remained largely closed to Bangladeshi workers for more than two years despite repeated efforts to resume recruitment.

Former Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul took several initiatives to reopen the market after the interim government assumed office on 5 August 2024. However, those efforts did not result in a full reopening.

Fresh momentum was generated after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Malaysia on his first overseas trip after taking office. Discussions on reopening the Malaysian market for Bangladeshi workers intensified following the visit.

The process was subsequently taken forward during a visit to Malaysia by Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, leading to the latest recruitment arrangement.

Focus on safe migration

Bangladesh sends a large number of workers abroad each year, with Malaysia remaining an important destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers.

Recruiting agencies and prospective workers now hope the new system will make the recruitment process more transparent, competitive and affordable.

The government has said its priority is to ensure safe, orderly and affordable migration, while expanding employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia.

The reopening is also expected to provide a boost to Bangladesh’s overseas employment sector and increase remittance opportunities for migrant workers and their families.