312 Bangladeshi Agencies Get Malaysia’s Approval

Bangla Press Desk:  Malaysia has listed 312 more Bangladeshi recruiting agencies as authorised "associate recruiting agencies" for its labour market.

The Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry shared the development in a media statement on Friday.

Previously, only 25 agencies and state-run Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) had been cleared under Malaysia's Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS) -- a decision that drew protests from former leaders of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), who feared it would create a syndicate.

The ministry blamed the situation on a 2022 memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed under the "fascist" Awami League government, which gave Malaysia sole authority over selecting Bangladeshi agencies.

With the MoU valid until Dec 31, the ministry said changing the terms was difficult, but that negotiations were ongoing.

Malaysia has agreed in principle to take 10,000 Bangladeshi workers at zero cost, all migration and airfare expenses covered, with the first batch to travel via a special BOESL-chartered flight, reopening the labour market.

The 312 newly listed agencies were drawn from a 423-agency list compiled by the interim government, excluding those linked to syndicates or the previous Awami League administration.

Vetting was done by a high-level Malaysian joint committee involving the ministries of human resources, foreign affairs, and home affairs, along with its anti-corruption commission and law-enforcing agencies, with no involvement from the Bangladesh government.

Operations will begin through 16 approved medical centres, after controversial ones were removed at Bangladesh's request.

A full review will follow once a Malaysian delegation inspects centres in Bangladesh.

The ministry said a 24-hour monitoring cell and help desk would be set up to handle worker complaints, and urged people to avoid touts and fraudsters.

It also warned against any financial transactions, medical tests, or passport submissions until a formal announcement is made.