KUALA LUMPUR: A decision on the resumption of Bangladeshi workers' recruitment in Malaysia is expected to be finalised by the end of this month.
This was after Human Resources Minister, M.Kulasegaran and Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Imran Ahmad took a further step to resolve the conundrum involving issue at a meeting, here, today.
Last September, the government suspended the Foreign Worker Application System (SPPA) for Bangladeshi workers, which only allowed the recruitment process to be carried out by 10 selected agencies approved by the previous government.
The previous system saw Bangladeshi workers apparently having to fork out up to RM20,000 in processing fee per person to agents to facilitate work permit approvals and other arrangements to work in Malaysia.
Some 400,000 Bangladeshi workers are currently working legally in Malaysia.
“The outcome of today’s meeting will be the source of guidance for the officials from both sides to discuss and finalise the Draft Protocol Amending the Memorandum of Understanding 2016 in order for the signing to take place by the end of November 2019,” said a joint statement from the two ministers, which was issued, here, today.
“In the meeting, both the Ministers have emphasised the necessities to standardise the process of recruitment, employment and repatriation of Bangladeshi workers to ensure safe, transparent and orderly migration.
“Moreover, both Ministers are also on the same page as to prevent unethical recruitment practices, malpractices and abuse,” said the statement.
The joint statement also said that several issues had been specifically deliberated and agreed, including the collaboration between both countries through joint and coordinated effort to reduce the cost of migration on both sides to a reasonable limit.
In addition, both nations also agreed to implement a mechanism which involves the participation of both Governments, Malaysian recruitment agencies and Bangladesh recruitment agencies.
Further, the statement said the two ministers had also optimised the involvement of Bangladesh Recruitment Agencies which will encourage competitiveness and reduce costs but the involvement will be subjected to the level of efficiency, reliability, and competency.
The two leaders also agreed to implement a secured, holistic and integrated online system which encompasses all business processes to ensure transparency, efficiency and effectiveness for the benefit of both the Governments.
“With this positive outcome, it is expected to help the employers to ease their woes on shortage of labour which affects their business operations”, said the statement.
The 4th Joint Working Group Meeting between both the nations will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Nov 24 and 25.