Break labour market syndicate, Asif Nazrul urges Malaysian PM
The Malaysian government has assured that 17,000 workers, who were supposed to go to Malaysia by 31 May, will now facilitate their entry, he says
Asif Nazrul, adviser to the expatriate welfare and overseas employment ministry, has urged Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to open the Malaysian labour market by removing syndicate-based recruitment practices.
Speaking at a ceremony to sign a memorandum of collaboration (MoC) in Dhaka today, Asif Nazrul said he had made this request during the Malaysian prime minister's recent visit to Dhaka.
He also outlined his key concerns regarding the expansion of the Malaysian labour market for Bangladeshi workers.
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"I discussed three issues with the Malaysian prime minister. First, I asked for the reopening of the closed Malaysian labour market. Secondly, I requested that the recruitment process, currently limited to 100 recruiting agencies, be opened to all agencies to ensure transparency," he said.
"Lastly, I asked for an increase in workers' wages, which the prime minister considered from a humanitarian perspective."
Addressing the recent statement by the Malaysian prime minister about announced plans to "accept 18,000 workers from Bangladesh", Asif Nazrul clarified that the media had misrepresented the issue.
"Over 17,000 workers, who were supposed to go to Malaysia by 31 May, were unable to do so due to unfortunate circumstances. The Malaysian government has assured that they will now facilitate their entry, and efforts will be made to expedite the process," the adviser said.
Nazrul also cautioned that while promises have been made, they do not guarantee immediate action.
"We are working to implement this commitment through our ministry and High Commission in Malaysia. I have a meeting tonight with the Malaysian High Commissioner, where we will discuss creating a roadmap to move forward," he said.
'Special lounge for migrant workers in Middle East'
Asif Nazrul also announced plans to provide improved facilities for Bangladeshi migrant workers in the Middle East.
"Within two weeks, a special lounge will be arranged for Bangladeshi workers. This is not a gesture of generosity but a responsibility towards them," he said, underlining the government's commitment to improving conditions for expatriate workers.
During the ceremony, an MoC was signed by Md Hamidur Rahman, director general (additional secretary) of the Wage Earners Welfare Board, and Dato' Sri Mohammed Azman bin Aziz Mohammad, group chief executive officer of Malaysia's Social Security Organisation, known as PERKESO.
The MoC aims to bring all Bangladeshi workers who have legally travelled to Malaysia since 1 January 2020 under the "Foreign Workers Compensation Scheme."
Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia will now be registered with Perkeso by their employers and will be eligible for a range of benefits, including medical treatment, temporary and permanent disability benefits, dependents' benefits, funeral allowances, and access to rehabilitation facilities.
This collaboration between the Wage Earners Welfare Board and PERKESO is expected to enhance the health, occupational safety, and welfare of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia.
The MoC falls under the broader framework of cooperation between Bangladesh's Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources.
