Malaysia Reopens Job Market for Bangladeshi Migrant Workers

Malaysia Reopens Job Market for Bangladeshi Migrant Workers

Malaysia Reopens Labor Market for Bangladeshi Workers
Malaysia is once again opening its labor market to Bangladeshi workers. The country’s interim government expects to recruit around 1.2 million workers from Bangladesh over the next few years. Among them, approximately 50,000 workers will be hired without any recruitment cost.

On Thursday afternoon, Dr. Asif Nazrul, Advisor to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Ministry of Law, will attend a joint meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia. He will meet with Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. A formal agreement on the matter is expected to be signed during the meeting.

Malaysian Prime Minister Visits Bangladesh to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
Earlier, on a short visit to Bangladesh on October 4 last year, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Anwar Ibrahim met with Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus for a bilateral meeting at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka.

Following the meeting, during a joint press conference, Dr. Yunus stated, “We aim to elevate bilateral relations with Malaysia to a new height. Both countries have agreed to advance cooperation.” He added that discussions covered a wide range of topics, including economic and cultural ties, the Rohingya crisis, trade and investment, education, technology, human resource development, manpower export, connectivity, infrastructure development, and defense cooperation. Employment opportunities and visa facilitation were also discussed.

Referring to Dr. Yunus as a friend, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Anwar Ibrahim said at the joint press briefing, “We recognize Dr. Yunus’s contributions to upholding human dignity. I know him personally and place my trust in him. As a friend of Bangladesh, the interim Malaysian government will extend its full support.”

"Bangladeshi Workers Are Not Modern-Day Slaves," Says Malaysian Prime Minister
Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Anwar Ibrahim has stated that Bangladeshi workers are not modern-day slaves and emphasized that efforts are underway to ensure their protection. By reopening the previously suspended labor market, he is honoring a promise made to a friend, according to officials from Bangladesh's Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia.

It has been reported that Malaysia plans to recruit around 1.2 million workers over the next few years, which comes as welcome news for Bangladeshi job seekers. Labor market experts note that the average wage for general workers in Malaysia is often twice—or more—than what is offered in Middle Eastern countries. Due to various complications, this major labor market remained stalled for nearly a year, but those obstacles have gradually been resolved, paving the way for hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi workers to legally enter Malaysia.

Officials suggest that reopening this large-scale labor market will benefit both the country and its migrant workers. It is expected to significantly boost remittance inflow into Bangladesh.

In conversations with officials at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, they indicated that if a sufficient number of workers are sent to Malaysia, Bangladesh could see an increase of nearly $5 billion in annual remittance earnings. They emphasized that the focus should not be on which recruiting agency is sending the workers, but rather on ensuring low migration costs and the protection of the workers themselves. The officials expressed hope that Bangladeshi workers will gain safe and affordable access to employment opportunities in Malaysia.