Malaysia may resume hiring manpower from Bangladesh soon

Malaysia is going to resume recruitment of workers from Bangladesh soon_ as both the countries are going to hold a secretary-level meeting next week to discuss the unresolved issues related to manpower sending process.

Malaysia signed a fresh deal with Bangladesh on December 19_ 2021 for hiring manpower for different sectors. However_ the recruitment process could not be started due to several factors. A section of manpower recruiters_ from the beginning of signing the deal_ alleged syndication in the process. They also urged the government to keep the market open for all authorised recruitment agencies.

Despite exchange of several letters between the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (EWOE) and the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources_ there was no Significant outcome so far in resuming manpower recruitment.

Now_ the Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting has been rescheduled to June 2 in Dhaka to resolve the relevant issues.

Besides_ Malaysian Human Resources Minister M Saravanan will also arrive in Dhaka to meet Bangladesh's EWOE Minister Imran Ahmad to discuss recruitment-related issues on the same day.

Talking to the journalists at a city hotel on Wednesday_ Imran Ahmed_ hinted that there is a possibility of positive outcome - in reopening Malaysia's border for Bangladeshi manpower - after the meetings.

Currently_ Malaysia needs workers from abroad for its various sectors - plantations_ agriculture_ manufacturing_ services_ mining and quarrying_ construction and domestic help.

The reopening has come after about four years' ban - following alleged syndication in the previous recruitment system. The Malaysian government stopped hiring Bangladeshi workers in September 2018.

If the market opens shortly_ the number of overseas jobs for Bangladeshis can increase considerably in 2022_ officials and manpower recruiters believe.

More than 10 lakhs Bangladeshi workers have gone to Malaysia since 1978_ as per the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) data.

Malaysia is an important source of remittances_ as it got more than $2 billion in remittance from the country in the last fiscal year.