Malaysia agrees to restart recruitment from Bangladesh, expat welfare ministry says

Malaysia has agreed to reopen its labour market for Bangladeshi workers.

The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment said on Thursday that discussions also progressed on ensuring a transparent recruitment process aimed at eliminating migration costs.

The announcement followed a high-level bilateral meeting in Kuala Lumpur between a Bangladeshi delegation, led by Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, and a Malaysian team headed by Human Resources Minister Dato’ Ramanan Ramakrishnan.

In a joint statement issued after the talks, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a "fair, ethical, and transparent" recruitment process based on sector-specific demands.

Malaysia informed the Bangladeshi delegation of its plans to introduce a technology-driven, AI-based recruitment system across all source countries.

The discussion also focused on removing the influence of middlemen to prevent exploitation and aligning with International Labour Organization (ILO) guidelines to ensure employers bear the full cost of recruitment.

The countries also discussed addressing structural barriers to reduce the financial burden on migrants and expedite the recruitment of workers currently stuck in the process, according to the joint statement.

The announcement marks a major breakthrough since Malaysia closed its doors to Bangladeshi manpower on May 31, 2024.

The joint statement also addressed ongoing legal issues and human trafficking concerns.

Malaysia emphasised the need to combat "baseless or malicious activities" that could tarnish its international reputation regarding labour standards.

In response, the Bangladeshi side reiterated its commitment to the rule of law, due process, and ensuring timely justice and accountability in the recruitment sector, the statement said.