Govt working to reopen Malaysia labor market: Mahdi Amin

The government is taking decisive steps to quickly reopen the Malaysian labor market for Bangladeshi workers, according to Mahdi Amin, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday (April 12) following a meeting with the Prime Minister, the Advisor emphasized a shift toward transparency.

"Our goal is to ensure workers can migrate at a low cost through a transparent process," Amin said. "We have urged the Malaysian government to take all necessary steps to ensure the recruitment process remains free of syndicates."

The Advisor noted that both the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and her Malaysian counterpart share a positive and sincere outlook on the matter. While he declined to provide a specific date for the resumption of labor exports, he confirmed the process is "underway" and will be unveiled as soon as possible.

Regarding ongoing legal issues and corruption, Amin stated that the current democratic government remains committed to the rule of law. "The judiciary will function independently. Those involved in corruption or misconduct will face legal consequences, while the innocent will receive justice," he added.

Addressing concerns over the 'credible recruitment agency' list, Amin clarified that this is not a new syndicate. He explained that Malaysia is applying these criteria to all labor-sending countries.

"We define 'credible' or 'qualified' agencies as those operating without corruption. By enforcing these standards, we aim to gradually reduce migration costs and fulfill the public's expectation of a fair, syndicate-free system," Amin concluded.