Hopes fade for resumption of legal migration to Malaysia
News Desk :
Bangladesh is facing a potential crisis as uncertainty looms over the future of its migrant workforce in Malaysia.
With legal migration routes encountering significant obstacles, thousands of aspiring workers may be forced to turn to irregular and dangerous migration channels. This could lead to economic setbacks and human rights violations.
Each year, tens of thousands of Bangladeshis seek employment abroad, with Malaysia being one of the most favoured destinations due to its labour demands and relatively stable wages.
Remittances from these migrant workers are one of the country’s largest sources of foreign currency, significantly bolstering the national economy.
However, if the pathways for legal migration remain obstructed, the consequences could be far-reaching, reports UNB.
“Without legal channels, many desperate workers will turn to brokers who promise to send them abroad for jobs using student or tourist visas. This only increases the risks of exploitation and abuse,” said a migration expert, who requested anonymity.
He added that irregular migration routes expose workers to life-threatening journeys, extortion, trafficking, and even death. Once they arrive abroad, they often become undocumented migrants, living in constant fear of arrest and deportation, leading to mental health issues, social isolation, and a life of instability.
Moreover, families who invest heavily in their loved ones’ migration, sometimes taking loans or selling property, find themselves in serious financial trouble when they fail to repay the money. “Many end up paying exorbitant sums to middlemen, leaving them deep in debt even before they find employment,” said a Dhaka-based labour recruiter.
There is also an international dimension to the crisis. A surge in human smuggling and trafficking cases could damage Bangladesh’s global reputation, the recruiter added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
KM Mobarak Ullah (Shimul), proprietor of Adeb Air Travels & Tours, said that members of BAIRA (Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies) are united in demanding the immediate reopening of the labour market under any conditions. “We are ready to comply with all the requirements set by labour-receiving countries. Only the cronies of fascism are trying to impose unnecessary conditions on the labour market,” he claimed.
Experts warn that Bangladesh risks being downgraded in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report – a move that could strain bilateral relations and development aid. Economically, the stakes are high.
The loss of remittances from Malaysia, a key destination for Bangladeshi workers, could significantly weaken the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Already, concerns are growing that illegal channels might lead to an increase in unregistered remittances through informal “hundi” systems, further impacting national reserves and financial transparency.
The government, already under pressure to address rising economic hardship at home, could face additional financial burdens. “Support for deported migrants, repatriation of dead bodies, and psychological care for distressed workers abroad could add unexpected costs,” said an official from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
In light of these looming threats, experts and rights groups are urging the government to act decisively.
When his attention was drawn to the uncertainty surrounding the sending of manpower to Malaysia, a senior officer from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment said that the government must pave the way for legal, ethical migration with zero tolerance for corruption in the manpower sector. “A strong mandate must be enforced to ensure recruitment agencies strictly follow government rules,” he said, requesting anonymity.
Asked about the government’s negotiations with Malaysian authorities and other labour-receiving countries, he explained that the fate of thousands of hopeful workers and the economic stability of Bangladesh remain uncertain. “Amid swirling speculation, propaganda, and political finger-pointing, the long-awaited gateway to Malaysia is finally set to reopen for Bangladeshi migrant workers,” he said.
He noted that, thanks to the tireless efforts and diplomatic acumen of Advisor Asif Nazrul, the Malaysian government has finalised the date for the next Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting, scheduled for the second week of May in Putrajaya.
This move marks a significant breakthrough in the long-stalled labour migration process between the two nations and is expected to restore hope for thousands of aspiring migrant workers.