Bangladesh objects to Malaysia's conditions over recruitment syndicate fears: Asif Nazrul
'Only a small number of recruiting agencies would get the opportunity, and that is something we do not want,' he says
Bangladesh has formally informed Malaysia that several of the conditions it recently set for recruitment agencies may pave the way for the re-emergence of a recruitment agency syndicate, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul said today (19 November).
"Malaysia presented ten conditions. We have expressed strong objections to several of them. After consulting with recruiting agencies, we informed Malaysia that it would not be possible to meet those conditions," he told journalists after the launch of the Overseas Employment Platform (OEP) to promote safe migration and fair recruitment at a city hotel.
The expatriates' welfare ministry has written to Malaysia regarding this issue, the adviser added.
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He warned that accepting such conditions would lead to the formation of another syndicate. "Only a small number of recruiting agencies would get the opportunity, and that is something we do not want."
Asif Nazrul, also the law affairs adviser, said Malaysia has assured Bangladesh that it will review the concerns raised.
He mentioned that diplomatic discussions will continue until the labour market remains fully open and accessible to all qualified agencies.
Recently, Malaysia set 10 new criteria for being an eligible Bangladeshi agency to send workers from Bangaldesh to Malaysia.
The new criteria, introduced through a letter sent by Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on 28 October, require agencies to have at least five years of valid licence, handled 3,000 foreign workers in the past five years, sent workers to at least three countries, a good conduct certificate, no record of forced labour or trafficking, ownership of a training centre, and a 10,000 sq ft permanent office maintained for at least three years.
Earlier at the event, the adviser launched the OEP, a joint initiative of the government of Bangladesh, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the government of Switzerland.
Asif Nazrul said, "Earlier, aspirant migrants needed to pay for such services through Ami Probashi App; under the new platform, it will be free of cost."
