Dhaka says recruitment decision was made at government level, expects process to begin soon despite Malaysian High Commission’s denial
The Bangladesh government has insisted that Malaysia’s decision in principle to recruit 10,000 Bangladeshi workers at zero cost is valid, seeking to dispel confusion in the labour market.
The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment told The Shuttle Times on Saturday evening that the decision was taken at the government-to-government level and that there was no reason for confusion over the recruitment initiative.
A senior ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Malaysian government might not have circulated the information through all its offices, which could explain why the High Commission in Dhaka had not received any official communication through its regular channels.
However, the official maintained that the decision was correct and said the ministry hoped the recruitment process would begin shortly.
The ministry is maintaining communication with the Malaysian government to move the process forward, the official added.
The conflicting statements have raised questions about the status of the proposed recruitment, creating uncertainty among Bangladeshi jobseekers and stakeholders in the overseas employment sector.
338 agencies included in new recruitment arrangement
The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment issued a press release on October 15 outlining a new arrangement to facilitate the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers for Malaysia.
According to the statement, Malaysia has agreed in principle to recruit 10,000 Bangladeshi workers at zero cost following a special request from the Bangladesh government.
The arrangement is expected to involve 338 recruiting and processing agencies, alongside the state-owned Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), subject to Malaysia’s eligibility criteria.
These include 312 recruiting agencies, 25 processing and service agencies, and BOESL.
However, the authorities have yet to disclose a specific recruitment timeline, the sectors in which workers will be employed, or the precise scope of costs covered under the zero-cost arrangement.
The government has said the initiative aims to reopen and expand access to the Malaysian labour market, broaden participation by eligible agencies and protect migrant workers from excessive recruitment expenses.
Transparency crucial to restoring labour market
Malaysia has long been a major destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, making the proposed recruitment initiative significant for jobseekers and the country’s overseas employment sector.
The government’s zero-cost recruitment proposal could help reduce the financial burden on workers if the arrangement is implemented effectively and the promised safeguards are enforced.
However, the conflicting statements from the two sides have underscored the need for clear, coordinated communication between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur before recruitment begins.
A formal announcement from the Malaysian government, along with a clear recruitment schedule and published eligibility criteria, would help establish certainty for prospective workers and recruiting agencies.
The effectiveness of the initiative will ultimately depend on transparent selection procedures, strict enforcement of recruitment regulations and safeguards against excessive fees, fraud and worker exploitation.
Until the Malaysian government publicly confirms the arrangement and provides operational details, the proposed recruitment of 10,000 Bangladeshi workers remains subject to clarification.
