Malaysia reopens doors to Bangladeshi workers, MoU signed

Malaysia has reopened its labour market to Bangladesh after a three-year hiatus as the governments of both countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday..

The MoU was signed in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, at 11:00am local time on Sunday, according to press release of the expatriates' welfare and oversees employment ministry received here.

It said Bangladesh's expatriates' welfare minister Imran Ahmed and Malaysian minister for human resources Datuk Seri M Saravanan signed the MoU on behalf of the respective government.

The Malaysian government suspended hiring workers from Bangladesh in 2018. Several bilateral meetings were held between both countries to resume workers’ recruitment. Recently, the Malaysian government approved the recruitment of workers from Bangladesh following the diplomatic effort of Bangladesh high commission in Kuala Lumpur and the inter-ministerial consultation led by the expatriates' welfare and oversees employment ministry, read the press release.

The press release said the MoU has created opportunity for recruitment, employment and idle framework of migration for the workers from Bangladesh.

Both countries believe employment of Bangladeshi workers is one of the important sectors for cooperation and mutual benefit. Both countries acknowledge that Bangladeshi workers have been contributing to the economic development of Malaysia; likewise Malaysia has been contributing to the development of Bangladesh.

According to the press release, the Malaysian employers will bear all expenses of their Bangladeshi workers under this MoU.

Expenses of appointing recruitment agencies, travelling to Malaysia, the workers' accommodation, employment, and return to home will be covered by employers. Employers can appoint Malaysian recruitment agency at their own cost.

Recruiters or employing companies in Malaysia will bear all expenses including immigration and visa fees, and health check-ups, insurance and Covid-19 test costs after the arrival of Bangladeshi workers.

Employers also ensure quality accommodation, insurance, treatment and welfare for workers.

The expatriates' welfare ministry hopes the cost of migration would reduce significantly for the Bangladeshi workers.

The rights and dignity of workers has further been strengthened in the MoU in light with laws, rules and regulations, national policies and guidelines of both countries, according to the press release.

Secretary of the expatriates' welfare and oversees employment ministry Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, Bangladesh high commissioner in Malaysia Md Golam Sarwar, deputy seretery general of Malaysia human resources ministry Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Bin Mohamed Annuar and director general of Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Md Shahidul Alam and other high officials of both countries were present at the signing ceremony.