Say ‘no’ to syndicated recruitment to defend migrant workers’ rights

The alarming resurgence of dishonest recruiters in the Malaysian labour market poses a significant threat to the integrity of migrant worker recruitment from Bangladesh.

The lead report of the Monday issue of our newspaper indicated that individuals previously implicated in a syndicate, which allegedly siphoned off thousands of crores of taka, are attempting to re-establish their dominance.

This renewed effort to monopolise the market raises serious concerns about the welfare of aspiring workers who may be coerced into using select agencies that impose exorbitant fees far exceeding government-set migration costs.

Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, a prominent figure in the recruitment sector, has rightly warned that the revival of such a syndicate would undermine the fairness and transparency that the current government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has promised.

The stakes are high; the price of entry into this new syndicate has reportedly surged to Tk 14 crore per agency, a staggering increase from Tk 5 crore in the previous scheme.

This escalation not only highlights the greed of these recruiters but also the potential for widespread exploitation of vulnerable workers.

The government must act decisively to prevent the formation of this syndicate. Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul’s upcoming meetings in Kuala Lumpur and Dhaka are crucial opportunities to address these concerns.

It is imperative that the government listens to the voices of stakeholders, including the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), who are advocating for an end to syndicate practices.

The potential reinstatement of such a system would not only victimise thousands of workers but also tarnish Bangladesh’s international reputation.

Moreover, the narrative that a syndicate-based system will lead to higher remittances is a deceptive ploy to legitimise corruption.

Past experiences have shown that syndicates charge illegal fees, with workers previously paying up to Tk 6 lakh, far above the official rate of Tk 78,990. This exploitation must not be allowed to continue.

As the Malaysian labour market remains a critical avenue for employment, particularly as traditional destinations close, the government must prioritise the establishment of a fair and transparent recruitment process.

Professor Dr. Yunus must leverage his influence to denounce any moves towards a syndicate-based system, ensuring that the rights and dignity of migrant workers are upheld. The future of countless Bangladeshi workers depends on it.