Malaysia reopens labour market for BD

Malaysia has reopened its labour market to Bangladeshi workers, with 10,000 workers set to migrate at zero cost under a new recruitment arrangement involving 338 recruiting agencies.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment announced the development in a press release signed by its Public Relations Officer Shariful Islam on Thursday (October 15).

Under the new arrangement, Malaysian authorities have agreed to enlist 338 Bangladeshi agencies to ensure a transparent and orderly recruitment process. The list includes state-run Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), 25 processing agencies and 312 recruiting agencies.

Interested workers will be able to complete the recruitment process through enlisted agencies and undergo medical examinations at authorised medical centres, the ministry said.

No single medical centre will be allowed to monopolise the medical examination process, as the government seeks to ensure transparency and prevent exclusive control over workers’ migration.

The government thanked the Malaysian prime minister, the Human Resources Ministry and the relevant authorities for their cooperation in reopening the labour market and creating new employment opportunities for Bangladeshis.