Special Correspondent :
The third Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting between Bangladesh and Malaysia kicked off on Wednesday in Dhaka, focusing on resuming formal labour recruitment and enhancing labour market cooperation.
The two-day meeting, held at a city hotel, brings together high-level government representatives from both nations. A formal declaration is expected at the conclusion, paving the way for the restart of legal labour migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia.
The seven-member Malaysian delegation is led by Dr Mohd Shaharin bin Umar, Deputy Secretary-General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources. Representing Bangladesh are Dr Lutfie Siddique, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser on International Affairs, and Dr Neamat Ullah Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, along with other senior officials.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Lutfie Siddique confirmed that around 8,000 workers who had completed all migration procedures but were unable to travel due to last year’s market suspension will now be sent to Malaysia via government arrangements through BOESL.
He also noted Malaysia’s preference to work with a smaller pool of recruiting agencies to ensure greater transparency. Both sides are in talks to streamline and closely monitor the recruitment process.
A promising development discussed was Malaysia’s consideration of introducing multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers-a move that signals commitment to safe and regulated migration.
Officials at the meeting highlighted the severe risks of illegal migration, including arrest and imprisonment, reinforcing both nations’ resolve to promote legal labour pathways.
The meeting follows a recent May 14 dialogue in Putrajaya, where a Bangladeshi delegation met with Malaysian ministers to bolster labour cooperation.
Former BAIRA Secretary General Ali Haider Chowdhury called for prioritising worker safety, job security, and cost-effective migration. Meanwhile, BAIRA leader Mobarak Ullah Shimul defended previous legal recruitment initiatives, rejecting human trafficking allegations as harmful to bilateral relations.
Another BAIRA official, speaking anonymously, accused a faction within the organization of hindering government efforts for personal gain through illegal recruitment. He urged a crackdown on such practices, which tarnish both Bangladesh’s image and Malaysia’s credibility on the global stage.
