The third Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting between Bangladesh and Malaysia on safe labour migration and labour market cooperation began on Wednesday at a city hotel, aiming to resume formal labour recruitment.
High-level government representatives from both countries are attending the two-day meeting which is expected to end with a formal declaration paving the way for the resumption of legal labour migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia.
A seven-member Malaysian delegation, led by Dr Mohd Shaharin bin Umar, Deputy Secretary-General of Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources, is participating in the meeting.
Dr Lutfie Siddique, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser on International Affairs, and Dr Neamat Ullah Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment are repsenting the Bangladesh side.
Senior officials from the ministry are also attending.
Speaking to reporters after the inaugural session, Dr Lutfie Siddique said nearly 8,000 workers—who completed all procedures but could not migrate due to the labour market closure last year—will be sent to Malaysia under government arrangements through BOESL.
He noted that while Bangladesh has many recruiting agencies, the Malaysian government prefers to work with a limited number to ensure greater transparency.
Discussions are ongoing to streamline and monitor the recruitment process more effectively.
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Dr Siddique also said Malaysia is considering introducing multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers, a move that signals the country’s commitment to transparent and regulated labour recruitment.
Meeting sources highlighted the risks faced by workers who attempt to migrate illegally, including arrest, legal complications, and imprisonment in Malaysia.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to curbing illegal migration and ensuring a safe, legal process for workers.
Earlier on May 14, a delegation from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, including Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Dr Lutfie Siddique, Dr Neamat Ullah Bhuiyan, and Deputy Secretary Sarwar Alam, held a joint meeting with Malaysian ministers in Putrajaya.
Former BAIRA Secretary General Ali Haider Chowdhury stressed the need to prioritise workers’ safety, job security, and affordable migration costs.
BAIRA leader Mobarak Ullah Shimul said previous labour recruitment initiatives followed government-to-government agreements and legal channels, rejecting allegations of human trafficking as unfounded and detrimental to bilateral ties.
Another BAIRA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that a faction within the association is obstructing government efforts to reopen the Malaysian labour market due to its involvement in illegal recruitment.
He emphasised the need to end such practices, which he said damage Bangladesh’s reputation and Malaysia’s international image.