Malaysia reopens labor market for Bangladeshi workers

Dhaka: Malaysia has reopened its labor market for Bangladeshi workers following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to the country. The government hopes to begin sending workers free of cost within the next one to two months.

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury announced this at Sylhet Circuit House on the afternoon of July 7. He added that positive updates are also expected soon regarding labor markets in the Middle East, Japan, and Mauritius.

Unlike previous arrangements, Bangladesh, not Malaysia, will now select the recruiting agencies. Officials are stressing coordinated efforts between the government and agencies to prevent syndicates and corruption, with analysts warning that a lack of transparency could again disrupt manpower exports.

The Malaysian labor market was first closed in 2008 over corruption allegations before reopening in 2016. Malaysia halted intake again in 2018 for similar reasons, before workers resumed departures in August 2022. The market was shut once more on June 1, 2024, prompting fresh negotiations between the two governments.

Meanwhile, government agency Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Ltd. (BOESL) has been tasked with sending 7,873 workers left stranded after the 2024 closure. So far, around 3,000 of them have reached Malaysia. Stakeholders have urged swift, separate decisions for the remaining workers awaiting departure.

During his Malaysia visit, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman raised the issue of Bangladeshi employment in the country's labor market. Following discussions between the two governments, both sides announced the market would reopen once legal complications were resolved.