Bangla Press Desk: On 11 August, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to visit Malaysia, one of Bangladesh’s closest friends. After the current government took office, Malaysian Prime Minister and long-time well-wisher of Dr Yunus, Anwar Ibrahim, pledged all possible assistance. The personal rapport between the two leaders presents a promising opportunity for Bangladesh.
According to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, a range of issues will be discussed during the visit. However, if Dr Yunus raises the logical demand for sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia at zero cost, it could bring significant long-term benefits for the country.
Malaysia’s maximum approved quota for foreign workers is about 2.5 million, but the actual number currently stands slightly below 2 million, leaving a shortage of around 500,000. Each year, due to returning workers and fresh demand, Malaysia requires around 500,000 new workers. The country sources these from 14 “source countries,” with Bangladesh topping the list as the largest supplier. According to those involved in the labour recruitment sector, if all goes well, Bangladesh could send 200,000 workers annually over the next six years - totaling about 1.2 million workers.
Unfortunately, the current process of recruiting Bangladeshi workers violates international labour law. The International Labour Organization’s “General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment” clearly states under the Employer Pays Principle that the employer must bear all recruitment-related costs - from passport and visa fees to medical checks and airfare. Charging workers directly or indirectly is strictly prohibited.
CA’s Malaysia visit: Raise the demand for sending workers without costs
Banglapress
Published: 23 September 2025, 10:25 AM
Bangla Press Desk: On 11 August, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to visit Malaysia, one of Bangladesh’s closest friends. After the current government took office, Malaysian Prime Minister and long-time well-wisher of Dr Yunus, Anwar Ibrahim, pledged all possible assistance. The personal rapport between the two leaders presents a promising opportunity for Bangladesh.
According to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, a range of issues will be discussed during the visit. However, if Dr Yunus raises the logical demand for sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia at zero cost, it could bring significant long-term benefits for the country.
Malaysia’s maximum approved quota for foreign workers is about 2.5 million, but the actual number currently stands slightly below 2 million, leaving a shortage of around 500,000. Each year, due to returning workers and fresh demand, Malaysia requires around 500,000 new workers. The country sources these from 14 “source countries,” with Bangladesh topping the list as the largest supplier. According to those involved in the labour recruitment sector, if all goes well, Bangladesh could send 200,000 workers annually over the next six years - totaling about 1.2 million workers.
Unfortunately, the current process of recruiting Bangladeshi workers violates international labour law. The International Labour Organization’s “General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment” clearly states under the Employer Pays Principle that the employer must bear all recruitment-related costs - from passport and visa fees to medical checks and airfare. Charging workers directly or indirectly is strictly prohibited.
[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]
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