Migrants brave bad news, rush for Malaysia
Reza Mahmud :
Despite the bleak prospects in the Malaysian job sector, a number of Bangladeshi migrants are rushing to fly to the South Asian country as the deadline for foreign workers to enter the country ends May 31st.
A recent flurry of activity has been observed at the Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training (BMET) offices in Bangladesh, with many Bangladeshi workers scrambling to secure airfare and immigration documents for travel to Malaysia.
This surge comes amid a deadline set by the Malaysian government for foreign workers to enter the country.
On the other hand, the Malaysian government said that they have paused recruiting foreign workers to bring back discipline in the immigrant sector as they witnessed huge chaos there.
International organizations, including the UN have recently raised concerns about worker discipline issues within the Malaysian foreign worker sector. In response, Kuala Lumpur has announced a reshuffling of its foreign worker management systems.
As part of the new regulations, those with previously approved work permits must submit visa applications by March 31st, and those who have received or will receive visas must enter Malaysia by May 31st.
This deadline has spurred a rush among Bangladeshi workers who have secured visas. Sources from the Bangladesh International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) estimate that roughly 1,000 Bangladeshi workers are departing daily for Malaysia on various airlines.
Data from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, BMET, and BAIRA indicates that approximately 500,000 Bangladeshi workers have received visas for the Malaysian labor market since its reopening in August 2022, following a three-year hiatus that began in 2018.
Despite reports of hardships faced by Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia, including joblessness, many workers feel compelled to travel due to the significant financial investment they have already made.
Shariful Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC’s Migration and Youth Initiatives, commented on the situation and told The New Nation, “Workers who have already spent a significant sum, around four to five lakh taka, to secure a job in Malaysia have little choice but to go.
Most have borrowed heavily to fund their travel, and they are forced to go despite the information available about the potential suffering and joblessness faced by many migrants.”
Shariful Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC’s Migration and Youth Initiatives, shed light on the situation, told The New Nation, “Workers who have already spent a substantial amount, around four to five lakh taka, to secure a job in Malaysia, have little choice but to go.
Most have borrowed heavily to fund their travel, and they are forced to go despite the information available about the potential suffering and joblessness faced by many migrants.”
Hasan further emphasized the need for legal action against recruiting agencies that deceive workers by not providing them with jobs upon arrival in Malaysia.
The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment acknowledged the challenges faced by migrants in Malaysia and assured efforts to find solutions.
Meanwhile, Freedom Fighter Ali Haider Chowdhury, Secretary General of BAIRA, confirmed the daily exodus of roughly 1,000 Bangladeshi workers departing for Malaysia.
He expressed concerns about the May 31st deadline potentially leading to another closure of the Malaysian labor market for Bangladeshi workers.
However, he hopes that Malaysia would continue recruiting Bangladeshi workers after implementing its revamped foreign worker management system.
Muhammad Abdul Hai, Director of BMET (Employment), confirmed that workers with complete visa and documentation can efficiently obtain certificates from BMET. He expressed hope that all visa holders would be able to reach Malaysia before the deadline.
BMET Deputy Director (Immigration), Md. Sazzad Hossain Sarkar, corroborated the surge in activity, with 800 to 1,000 people collecting immigration certificates daily for their Malaysian departure. However, he clarified that he hadn’t received any official notice regarding the deadline.
While Bangladeshi workers have faced four bans on entering Malaysia since 1989, officials are downplaying concerns about a fifth ban as the Malaysian government implements a restructuring of its foreign worker management systems.
Ali Haider Chowdhury, Secretary General of the Bangladesh International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), addressed anxieties surrounding a potential ban.
He clarified that the current pause on hiring foreign workers is not targeted solely at Bangladeshi workers but encompasses all foreign labor recruitment.
“There is no reason to fear about the fifth ban right now,” Ali Haider emphasized.
Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, State Minister of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, echoed similar sentiments.
He expressed confidence in the continued flow of Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia after the restructuring is complete.
Highlighting the strong relationship between the two nations, Shariqur revealed, “Bangladesh has proposed a joint working group with the Malaysian government to address these concerns.”
He further stated that Bangladesh has requested the inaugural meeting of this working group to take place this month.(May 2024).
However, the history of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia is not without its challenges with thousands of migrants reportedly facing exorbitant fees and unemployment upon arrival.
Syndicates controlling the Malaysian labor market have also been accused of embezzling funds through fraudulent practices, including unnecessary medical check-up charges levied on workers.