'10 agents to be asked to explain recruitment monopoly'

Malaysia
Malaysia

The government will serve show-cause notices to 10 private recruiting agencies that once enjoyed monopoly in sending workers to Malaysia, the minister concerned said.

The move followed Kuala Lumpur's move to suspend recruitment of Bangladeshi workers from 1 September.

“I was always against the 10 recruiting agencies and still I am against them. I don’t believe in syndicate. We will serve show-cause notices to them,” expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister Nurul Islam said at a 'meet the press'.

Reporters for Bangladeshi Migrants (RBM) organised the 'meet' at the ministry in Prabashi Kalyan Bhaban in Eskaton area on Tuesday.

On the suspension of any more hiring of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, the minister expressed optimism that the Malaysian government may change the recruitment system.

He also made it clear that around 30,000 aspirant workers, who have completed all procedures for employment in Malaysia, will be able to go there.

According to stakeholders, the 10 recruiting agencies in collusion with influential quarters in Malaysia, controlled the labour market and take workers from Bangladesh.

The 10 agencies are: Unique Eastern, Carrier Overseas, Catharsis International, HSMT Human Resource, Sanjary International, Rabby International, Passage Associates, Amin Tours and Travels, Prantik Travels and Tourism and Al Islam Overseas.

On 14 August, at a meeting of special committee on foreign workers’ management in parliament, new prime minister Mahathir Muhammad reportedly decided a halt in hiring workers from Bangladesh since 1 September.

Mahathir then said his government would open up the recruitment of workers from Bangladesh to all agencies, New Straits Times of Malaysia reported.

“Currently, only 10 agencies are allowed to process prospective Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia. This is a form of monopoly,” the Malaysian leader was quoted to have said.