No scope for irregularities in Malaysia labour recruitment: Lutfey Siddiqi

The process of sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia will be made fully transparent, with no room for irregularities or discrimination, said Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy for international affairs to the chief adviser.

He made the remarks today (21 May) while speaking to reporters following the opening session of a joint working group meeting between Bangladesh and Malaysia, held at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka.

"In the first phase, around 8,000 workers who had completed all procedures but could not travel due to the closure of the labour market last year will now be sent," he said, adding that they will be dispatched quickly through Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) under a government-to-government arrangement.

Siddiqi noted that due to the large number of recruiting agencies in Bangladesh, the Malaysian government prefers to work with a limited number. "To ensure transparency, today's joint working group meeting will discuss possible amendments to the existing memorandum of understanding," he said.

He clarified that Malaysia has not imposed any conditions regarding the reopening of the labour market.

Siddiqi further stated that Malaysia is holding inter-ministerial discussions on issuing multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers. "The Malaysian government is showing strong interest in recruiting workers, and both sides are committed to maintaining transparency," he added.

The Malaysian delegation at the meeting is led by Dr M Shahrin bin Omar, deputy secretary-general of the country's Ministry of Human Resources. The meeting is expected to finalise the process for sending workers to Malaysia.