ACC sues 12 recruiting agencies over Malaysia labour market scam
According to ACC, these agencies charged workers five times the government-set fee, embezzling Tk1,128 crore from 67,380 workers
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed 12 separate cases against as many recruitment agencies, including one owned by former finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, for allegedly exploiting and laundering excessive funds through syndication in Malaysia's labour market.
ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhter Hossain confirmed the development today (11 March).
Akhtar said these agencies charged workers five times the government-set fee, embezzling Tk1,128 crore from 67,380 workers.
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Since the reopening of the labour market in August 2022, Malaysia had allocated a quota of over 532,000 for Bangladeshi workers. Out of this, 476,000 workers were able to reach their destination.
However, around 17,777 workers could not fly as the recruiting agencies failed to provide tickets before the deadline.
Following the incident, a probe committee was formed by the Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry. The committee found all 100 private recruiting agencies, collectively known as the syndicate, responsible for the failure of 17,000 workers to join their workplaces in Malaysia.
The Malaysian authorities had allowed these 100 private recruiting agencies to send workers from Bangladesh. However, due to mismanagement and corruption in the recruitment process, the agencies failed to send approximately 17,777 workers before the 31 May 2024 deadline set by Malaysia.
