Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) submitted memorandum to the Chief Adviser and organized a human chain demanding strict action against the syndicate involved in corruption in the Malaysian labour market and the opening of the market to all agencies.
The BAIRA members organised the human chain in front of the Probashi Kallyan Bhaban at 11:00 AM on Monday.
Speaking at the event, BAIRA’s Senior Vice-President Riaz Ul Islam said, “During the tenure of the previous government, a syndicate was formed in the Malaysian labour market through which thousands of crores of taka were embezzled. This malpractice is still ongoing.
To stop this syndicate, changes must be made to the Bangladesh-Malaysia agreement and the labour market must be opened.”
Speakers at the said that under the patronage of ministers, MPs, and influential leaders of the former corrupt autocratic regime, a syndicate was formed led by fugitive Ruhul Amin Swapan, who is currently trying to control the syndicate from abroad.
According to them, the key figures in the syndicate include former advisor to the former autocratic regime Salman F Rahman, Datuk Seri Amin Noor, former finance minister A M A Muhith (Lotus Kamal), former MP Nizam Uddin Hazari, Lt. General (Retd.) Masud Uddin Chowdhury, former MP Benazir Ahmed, Dhaka North Jubo League President Mohammad Abul Bashar, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s former PS Alauddin Chowdhury Nasim, Dhaka South Awami League President Mohiuddin Mohi, and former BAIRA executive committee member Kazi Mofizur Rahman.
They alleged that the syndicate collected approximately Tk 12,000 crore in excess fees for tickets and visas from 800,000 workers, a large portion of which was allegedly shared among former ministers and leaders. An additional Tk 750 crore was reportedly collected from 2.5 million migrant workers under the pretense of medical tests. Moreover, each agency had to pay at least Tk 5 crore to obtain a license under the syndicate.
Shawkat Alam Titu, Chief Accountant of New Age International, said, “There is currently a demand for 1.2 million workers in Malaysia. They recruit from 14 different countries.
While recruitment from other countries continues, complications are preventing labor migration from Bangladesh. As a result, we are losing both remittances and the labour market.”
He added, “The government must take swift action to open the labour market so that our workers can go abroad and contribute to the national economy.”
