Malaysia has agreed in principle to recruit a "large number" of Bangladeshi workers in the coming years with assurance to ensure their wages, safety, and overall welfare, according to officials at the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
The development came during a joint meeting today in Putrajaya in Malaysia between Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and senior officials of Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources.
According to officials familiar with the discussion, the talks prioritised two key issues: securing the salary and benefits of Bangladeshi workers already employed in Malaysia, and outlining a streamlined process for bringing in new workers under a more transparent and ethical recruitment framework.
"There has been detailed discussion about recruiting a significant number of workers from Bangladesh based on the demand from Malaysian employers, while ensuring protection of migrant rights," a senior ministry source told The Daily Star.
As part of the understanding, Malaysia is expected to take several lakh workers over the next few years.
Among them, over 20,000 workers may be recruited at no cost to the migrants, ministry sources confirmed.
Asif Nazrul, along with Senior Secretary Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan and Deputy Secretary Md Sarwar Alam, reached Malaysia on May 14 for an official visit.
The delegation has been engaging with key Malaysian authorities to revive and stabilise the labour market between the two countries.
Confirming today's development, Sarwar Alam told this newspaper, "We had a fruitful discussion with the Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources, and a positive result came up about opening Malaysia labour market. The decision is expected to be final during a joint working committee meeting on May 21, in Dhaka."
Regarding regularising illegal workers in Malaysia, he said, "We are hopeful about it and a meeting with Malaysia's Home Ministry is scheduled to be held in this regard in the evening."
Officials at the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia noted that the wage levels for general workers in Malaysia are nearly double of those in the Middle East. "If managed properly, this labour market can significantly boost our remittance inflow and contribute to the national economy," said a high commission official, requesting anonymity.
However, the delegation and local officials also acknowledged the complex tensions within the recruitment sector, particularly regarding disputes among Bangladeshi recruiting agencies.
These conflicts have reportedly delayed the expansion of the labour market, although recent efforts by both governments aim to clear those hurdles.
"Prioritising the interests of migrant workers over the business concerns of agencies is essential. A clean, legal migration process will benefit both the workers and the country," said a senior official at the ministry.
Officials emphasised that the government cannot assign recruitment contracts to specific agencies. "It is the agencies' responsibility to secure jobs from abroad. Once they do, the government will grant approval for sending workers. This is how it works in every country," one official noted.
They also warned that politically motivated protests, media campaigns, and even lawsuits by certain business groups are harming Bangladesh's image. "Cases filed under human trafficking and money laundering laws -- even after legal migration -- are drawing negative attention from destination countries," a source said.
"Receiving countries are observing what's happening in Bangladesh. Unjustified legal actions after proper migration give the wrong impression and hurt our diplomatic efforts," the official added.
Given the global economic challenges and the national need for a stable flow of remittances, policymakers stressed the urgency of resolving disputes quickly and ensuring cost-effective, transparent migration to Malaysia.
"Opening this labour market under a reformed, ethical system will be a major win for Bangladesh," a senior official at the Expatriates' Welfare Ministry added.