PM's Malaysia visit may open door to reopening labor market

Dhaka: Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment State Minister Mohammad Nurul Haque has expressed optimism that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's upcoming visit to Malaysia could create a significant opportunity for the reopening of the country's long-suspended labor market for Bangladeshi workers.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting on overseas labor market expansion at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 15, the state minister said the government sees the visit as a potential breakthrough in discussions on labor migration.

"The Malaysian labor market has remained closed for a long time. We hope that the Prime Minister's upcoming visit will create a major opportunity for its reopening," Nurul Haque said.

Foreign Ministry officials said Prime Minister Tareq Rahman will make his first overseas trip to Malaysia from June 21 to 22 before traveling to China from June 23 to 26. He is expected to fly directly to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur.

The state minister also revealed that Bangladesh has sent around 18 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to nearly 18 countries, including Thailand, regarding labor market cooperation. The agreements are currently awaiting signing through diplomatic channels coordinated by the Foreign Ministry.

Addressing concerns over Bangladeshi workers facing difficulties in Russia, including allegations that some were drawn into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Nurul Haque said the government is taking precautionary measures.

"Those travelling to Russia must ensure they do not become involved in the war and that they enter the country on valid work visas. The Bangladesh Embassy and the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) will strictly verify all cases," he said.

The state minister noted that Bangladesh sees potential to send between 300,000 and 400,000 workers to Russia over the next five years, citing increased labour demand caused by the departure of foreign investors and local workers amid the ongoing conflict.

Regarding recent allegations that 30 Bangladeshi workers were recruited into the war after travelling to Russia for employment, he said the government had acted swiftly. Legal cases have been filed against the recruiting agencies involved, and their licenses have been suspended.