Bangladesh and Malaysia have reaffirmed their strong bilateral partnership on labour migration, agreeing on steps to reopen Malaysia's labour market for Bangladeshi workers under a more transparent, ethical, and technology-driven system.
* Focuses on sector-specific demand
* Employers to fully bear recruitment expenses
* Focus on previously stranded workers and sector-specific demand
The agreement was reached during a high-level bilateral meeting in Putrajaya, led by Malaysia's Human Resources Minister Ramanan Ramakrishnan and Bangladesh's Minister of Labour and Employment Ariful Haque Choudhury.
The meeting was attended by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Bangladesh Prime Minister's Adviser on Expatriate Welfare Affairs Mahdi Amin, along with senior officials from both countries.
At a joint press conference, both ministers highlighted progress on several fronts. Malaysia announced plans to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-based recruitment system designed to reduce reliance on intermediaries, lower migration costs, and ensure employers bear all recruitment expenses-effectively creating a zero-cost migration pathway for workers.
Both sides agreed to expedite the reopening of Malaysia's labour market for Bangladeshi workers based on sector-specific demand, while emphasising a fair and structured recruitment process.
The focus will be on engaging only credible and qualified recruitment agencies and facilitating opportunities for previously stranded workers.
A key discussion point was Malaysia's proposal to implement a technology-driven recruitment platform for all source countries. The system aims to streamline hiring, enhance transparency, and enforce the "Employer Pays Principle," ensuring workers are not burdened with recruitment costs. Bangladesh expressed full support and pledged to collaborate in implementing the platform, viewing it as a potential global model aligned with international labour standards.
The meeting also addressed ongoing legal cases related to human trafficking in recruitment. Both countries stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law, due process, and accountability.
Further cooperation was agreed upon in managing irregular migration, skills development, vocational training, certification, and information-sharing systems. These measures aim to better align labour supply with industry demand and improve productivity.
The discussions concluded positively, with both countries committing to continued consultations and effective implementation of the agreed initiatives, reflecting a shared commitment to safe, orderly, and fair labour migration.
