The process for recruiting workers for Malaysia

Bangla Press Desk: The Malaysian authorities have agreed in principle to the recruitment of 10,000 Bangladeshi workers at absolutely no cost to the workers themselves. Furthermore, Malaysia has consented to the inclusion of 338 Bangladeshi recruiting agencies on an approved list. In light of this, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment has issued guidelines regarding the processes for worker recruitment, the acquisition of job orders, medical examinations, and the procurement of government clearances.
In a notification issued on Thursday (October 15), the Ministry stated that interested workers may complete the process for traveling to Malaysia through the listed and authorized recruiting agencies. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to undergo medical examinations at approved medical centers.
The notification specifies that no single medical center will be granted an exclusive right to conduct medical examinations. This arrangement has been established to ensure that workers can travel to Malaysia through a transparent and accessible process, free from any form of monopolistic control.
The Recruitment Process
1. Acquisition of Job Orders
All legitimate and qualified recruiting agencies—duly approved by the Malaysian authorities—may independently secure job orders (requests for the recruitment of workers) from the Malaysian labor market.
2. Selection and Recruitment of Workers
The recruiting agency that secures a job order is authorized to carry out the selection and recruitment of workers, in compliance with the prevailing laws and regulations of Bangladesh. In other words, the responsibility for sourcing and selecting workers rests with the respective recruiting agency.
3. Administrative Procedures in Malaysia
For the administrative requirements to be fulfilled with the relevant Malaysian authorities—such as obtaining 'calling visas,' e-visas, and completing other mandated official procedures—the state-owned recruiting agency, Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), along with 25 other listed processing and service agencies, will provide the necessary support.
4. BMET Clearance
Once the required administrative procedures in Malaysia have been concluded, the respective recruiting agency must complete the subsequent steps in accordance with the regulations of Bangladesh. The ministry’s notification states that any valid and qualified recruiting agency—duly authorized by the Malaysian authorities—may complete the BMET (Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training) clearance process for the workers they have selected, using their own recruiting license.
In other words, the agency that secures the job order and selects the workers is permitted to complete the official Bangladeshi government clearance process for those workers under its own license.
What is the role of the processing agencies?
BOESL (Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited) and 25 other listed processing or service agencies will assist in completing the administrative procedures required by Malaysia. They are authorized to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the recruiting agencies to facilitate the acquisition of BMET clearance. According to the ministry, this system ensures that each recruiting agency retains its own responsibilities, accountability, and business autonomy. Furthermore, the initiative aims to ensure transparency in the recruitment process and simplify the path for workers to travel abroad. However, those interested in seeking employment in Malaysia must complete the process through a listed and authorized recruiting agency and strictly adhere to the relevant government directives.
BP/TD