Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh’s interim government is facing mounting criticism over what many describe as a significant diplomatic and administrative failure in reopening the crucial Malaysian labour market. Despite repeated high-level bilateral visits, meetings, and negotiations between the two governments, no meaningful progress has been achieved. As a result, the process remains stalled, leaving thousands of Bangladeshi workers stranded and millions losing hope. Stakeholders say the situation exposes the diplomatic weakness, indecision, and poor policy coordination of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. They also point to numerous “unproven” human trafficking cases filed against manpower recruiters—cases that Malaysian authorities insist must be withdrawn before they can resume accepting Bangladeshi workers.
Meanwhile, Malaysia has already resumed recruitment from other source countries—particularly Nepal and Indonesia—raising concerns that Bangladesh is rapidly losing its competitive position in the labour market. Malaysia suspended recruitment from all 15 approved source countries, including Bangladesh, in May 2024. However, beginning in January this year, it restarted hiring from several countries, such as Indonesia, Nepal, India, and Pakistan—excluding only Bangladesh.
Recent data highlights the stark disparity:
Workers Malaysia received in 2024 (Jun–Dec):
• Nepal: 21,183
• Indonesia: 29,900
• Bangladesh: only 290
Workers received in November alone:
• Indonesia: 2,561
• Nepal: 5,773
• Bangladesh: just 90
For 2025, the other 14 source countries have already registered 113,222 workers, including:
• Nepal: 60,000
• Indonesia: 22,685
• India: 12,027
• Pakistan: 7,428
• Philippines: 6,204
• Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and others: remaining numbers
Bangladesh, in contrast, has registered only 1,853 workers.
18,000 Workers Still Stranded — Yet Only 190 Sent So Far By 31 May 2024, approximately 18,000 Bangladeshi workers had completed all formalities—including calling visas, approvals, BMET clearance, and processing—but were unable to travel to Malaysia due to the sudden suspension. During Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Dhaka on 4 October last year, he pledged to take these stranded workers “on a priority basis.” Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul also visited Malaysia twice to expedite the process, and several Joint Working Committee meetings were held.
Yet the outcome remains negligible. The government assigned BOESL, the state-owned recruitment agency, to facilitate the departure of these workers. Although BOESL was tasked with sending 7,869 workers, the agency has managed to send only 190 workers in nearly six months. Many stakeholders argue that a key mistake was not involving private agencies in processing these 7,869 workers. If the remaining workers cannot be sent by 31 December, their opportunities may be permanently lost.
Rising Costs, Visa Trading Allegations, and Illegal Transactions Although authorities initially claimed that the stranded workers would be sent free of cost, BOESL is now charging Tk 162,500 per worker under a circular issued on 4 September. Of this amount, Tk 100,000 has reportedly been set aside as a “visa purchase fee.”
Investigations reveal that:
• BOESL has already paid Tk 75,000 per visa to a Malaysian company
• Funds were transferred through hundi, an illegal and unregulated channel
• Payments were made via Bangladeshi businessman Altaf Khan and Malaysian national Jaswan Singh Stakeholders say this amounts to illegal visa trading and even human trafficking by a government entity, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability. BOESL Managing Director Saiful Islam admitted that Tk 100,000 was allocated for visa purchases, yet workers could still not be sent.
Recruiting Agencies Blame Government; Demand Accountability Senior BAIRA leader Mobarak Ullah Shimul said private recruiting agencies were unfairly prosecuted, while the government is now involved in similar activities: “CID and ACC filed money laundering and human trafficking cases against us for visa trading. But BOESL is doing the same. Who will file cases against them?” He added that private agencies had already arranged demand letters and visas for the stranded 18,000 workers, but the responsibility was instead handed to BOESL: “If private agencies were allowed, these workers would have reached Malaysia long ago. Now workers, the government, and the entire country are suffering. We are losing remittances.” He warned that unless the unsubstantiated cases are withdrawn, Malaysia may permanently close its labour market to Bangladesh.
Experts: Interim Government Failed to Open New Markets Labour migration researcher Dr Syed Kamrul Islam of Universiti Putra Malaysia said: “Since the suspension in May, Bangladesh has failed to reopen the Malaysian labour market. Nepal and Indonesia are now capturing that space.” He added that the interim government has imposed new rules and restrictions but failed to:
• Explore new labour markets
• Strengthen diplomatic efforts
• Resolve existing market challenges
Instead, he said, the ministry created further obstacles for private agencies, worsening the situation.
