Interim Govt faces questions over diplomatic failures in Malaysian labour market

> Diplomatic Weakness and Indecision at the Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry

> Malaysia opens recruitment from Nepal

> Disappointed Malaysia-bound workers hold Advisor Asif Nazrul responsible

Bangladesh’s interim government is facing growing criticism for what many describe as a serious diplomatic and administrative failure in reopening the crucial Malaysian labour market.

Despite repeated high-level bilateral visits, meetings, and negotiations from both governments, no meaningful progress has been achieved, leaving thousands of Bangladeshi workers stranded and millions losing hope.

Stakeholders said that the situation exposes the diplomatic weakness, indecision, and poor policy coordination of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

They also point to widespread and “unproven” human trafficking cases filed against manpower recruiters, which Malaysia says must be withdrawn before workers can be accepted again.

Meanwhile, Malaysia has resumed taking workers from other source countries—particularly Nepal and Indonesia—raising concerns that Bangladesh is losing its competitive labour market position.

Malaysia turns to Nepal and Indonesia as Bangladesh falls behind

Malaysia halted recruitment from all 15 approved source countries, including Bangladesh, in May 2024. But beginning in January this year, it resumed hiring from countries such as Indonesia, Nepal, India, Pakistan and others—excluding Bangladesh.

Data reveals stark contrasts:

• Workers Malaysia received in 2024 (Jun–Dec):

o Nepal: 21,183
o Indonesia: 29,900
o Bangladesh: only 290

• Workers received in November alone:
o Indonesia: 2,561
o Nepal: 5,773
o Bangladesh: just 90

For 2025, all other 14 source countries have already registered 113,222 workers:
• Nepal: 60,000
• Indonesia: 22,685
• India: 12,027
• Pakistan: 7,428
• Philippines: 6,204
• Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and others: remaining numbers

Bangladesh, by contrast, has registered only 1,853 workers.

18,000 workers still stranded — only 190 Sent so far

By 31 May 2024, about 18,000 Bangladeshi workers had completed all formalities — calling visas, approvals, BMET clearance, and processing — yet were unable to leave for Malaysia due to the sudden suspension.

During Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Dhaka on 4 October last year, he pledged to take these stranded workers “on a priority basis.”

Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul also visited Malaysia twice to expedite the process. Several Joint Working Committee meetings were held.
Yet, results remain negligible.

The government assigned BOESL, the state-owned recruitment agency, to send the stranded workers. BOESL was initially tasked to send 7,869 workers. But in nearly six months, the agency has managed to send only 190. It was a big mistake by the Bangladesh government not to involve private agencies to secure this 7869 workers.

If the remaining workers cannot be sent by 31 December, their prospects may be permanently lost.

Rising Costs, Allegations of Visa Trading and Illegal Transactions

Although authorities initially claimed that stranded workers would be sent free of cost, BOESL is currently charging Tk 162,500 per worker under a circular issued on 4 September.
From this amount, Tk 100,000 has reportedly been kept aside as a “visa purchase fee.”

Investigations reveal:

• BOESL has already paid Tk 75,000 per visa to a Malaysian company
• Funds were transferred via hundi, an illegal and unregulated channel
• Payments were made through Bangladeshi businessman Altaf Khan and Malaysian national Jaswan Singh

Stakeholders argue this amounts to illegal visa trading and human trafficking by a government entity, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability.

BOESL’s Managing Director Saiful Islam acknowledged that Tk 100,000 was allocated for visa purchases, yet workers could still not be sent.

Recruiting agencies blame Govt; demand accountability

Senior BAIRA member Mobarak Ullah Shimul said private recruiting agencies are being unfairly prosecuted while the government itself is now involved in similar activities.

He said, “CID and ACC filed money laundering and human trafficking cases against us for visa trading. But BOESL is doing the same. Who will file cases against them?”

Shimul noted that private agencies had already arranged demand letters and visas for the stranded 18,000 workers, but the responsibility was given to BOESL instead.

He said, “If private agencies were allowed, these workers would have reached Malaysia long ago. Now workers, the government, and the country are suffering. We are losing remittances.”

He warned that if unsubstantiated cases are not withdrawn, Malaysia may permanently close its labour market to Bangladesh.

Interim Government failed to open new markets: Experts

Dr Syed Kamrul Islam, a labour migration researcher at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said:
“Since the suspension in May, Bangladesh has failed to reopen the Malaysian labour market. Nepal and Indonesia are now capturing that space.”

He added that the interim government imposed new rules and restrictions but failed to:

• Explore new labour markets
• Strengthen diplomacy
• Resolve existing market challenges

Instead, he said, the ministry created obstacles for private agencies, worsening the situation.

Diaspora blame Adviser Asif Nazrul

Large sections of overseas Bangladeshis are holding Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul responsible for lacking effective diplomatic strategy and failing to protect Bangladesh’s labour interests abroad.

Many said that despite numerous visits and high-level meetings, no tangible progress resulted.

No response from the Adviser

The report sought comments from the Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, but no statement was provided.