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The government today (Tuesday) launched an initiative to send workers, who could not go to Malaysia by May 31 last year, while as part of this programme, a flight carrying 60 workers departed here for Malaysia.
The process of sending the workers who were unable to travel to Malaysia despite a long wait and completing all the procedures officially started today, BSS reports.
The Bangladeshi workers, who were unable to travel due to various complications despite completing all the steps by May 31, 2024, are being sent to Malaysia through Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) at the government's initiative.
As part of this initiative, 60 workers left Dhaka for Malaysia in the first phase today, a handout said.
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul was present at Probashi Lounge at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and saw them off.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event organised by BOESL, Dr Asif Nazrul expressed deep gratitude for the efforts of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and the sincerity of the Malaysian government for this success in sending the workers, who could not go to Malaysia even after completing all the procedures.
He said the dream has come true after a long time.
Mentioning the context of bringing back 188 prisoners from the United Arab Emirates for their movement in support of the July Uprising, the adviser said the government is also working to rehabilitate them.
He highlighted the various programmes taken by the interim government for the welfare of the expatriates and said the government is committed to ensuring their welfare.
Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary of Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment, presided over the event, while Roni Miah, a Malaysia-bound worker, expressed deep gratitude for the continuous efforts of the Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser under the Chief Adviser’s sincere initiative, to fulfill their dreams.
On October 4, 2024, Chief Adviser Professor Mohammad Yunus requested Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who visited Bangladesh, to take the Bangladeshi workers who could not go to Malaysia.
On May 13-16, 2025, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi visited Malaysia. In continuation of this, at the 3rd Joint Working Group meeting of Bangladesh and Malaysia held on May 21-22, 2025, BOSEL was given the responsibility to send 7,873 workers out of 17,777, who could not go to Malaysia by May 31, 2024.
It was decided to send workers only in the construction and tourism sectors. On August 7 last, BOESL signed an agreement was signed with Construction Labour Exchange Centre Berhad (CLAB) regarding the sending of workers.
In the first phase of the initiative, the Malaysian government agency Construction Labour Exchange Centre Berhad (CLAB) received a demand for 500 workers. Out of 500, 255 workers have already received visas and their final departure preparations have been completed.
BOESL director general Md Saiful Islam moderated the event. Director generals of BMET and Wage Earners Welfare Board, managing director of Probashi Kallyan Bank and managing director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines were present, among others.