Malaysia is the most preferred and reliable labor market in the world for Bangladeshi workers. One of the main reasons for this is the high salary structure and excellent living environment there, which is very favorable for Bangladeshis.
Currently, the minimum basic salary for foreign workers in all sectors in Malaysia is around 50,000 taka in Bangladeshi currency. This figure is attractive for workers hoping to immigrate, and the working environment and safety system there are of very high standards.
But it is very sad that a self-interested unscrupulous group and a known human trafficking group are desperate to close this labor market. They are spreading various kinds of propaganda by mixing truth and lies to create confusion about this labor market in the government and the international community. On the one hand, this is a serious threat to the remittance flow of Bangladesh, and on the other hand, it is pushing the future of thousands of workers going to Malaysia into uncertainty.
As a responsible recruiting business, we know that outside of this attractive labor market, workers are reluctant to work in many other countries due to low wages. Therefore, many recruiting agencies are interested in working with reputable companies in Malaysia, where the future of the worker is secure and recruiting agencies can play a unique role in fulfilling their dreams. Basically, if this legal market is active, human traffickers cannot operate their illegal activities. As a result, they want to disrupt this market by adopting various strategies.
One of the main strategies of this smuggling ring is human trafficking under the guise of tourist visas. They falsely entice simple workers to go to Malaysia on tourist visas. They assure the workers that after going to Malaysia, the government there will legalize all illegal workers. Falling into the trap of this false assurance, thousands of workers are losing everything and living inhumane lives abroad. When these illegal workers get into legal complications, the responsibility falls on the legitimate recruiting agencies and the government. Using this opportunity, the traffickers are continuously spreading propaganda to tarnish the image of Bangladesh and Malaysia before various international organizations.
In the interest of the country and for the safety of remittance warriors, it is important for us to take some strict and practical steps. Our sincere appeal to the government is that in future, only those workers who have gone to Malaysia legally with a BMET (Eg8) clearance should be given the opportunity. Those who tarnish the image of the country by going illegally or on a tourist visa without a BMET smart card or valid documents should not be provided any kind of cooperation or legal facilities by the embassy. This will not only reduce illegal immigration, but also put an end to the violence of human traffickers forever.
It is time to stop this conspiracy in the larger interest of the country and the nation. To keep this potential labor market in Malaysia stable, the government, relevant ministries, and international organizations must make decisions based on objective information. We must remember that this labor market is not just a business for a few people, it is a tool to change the fate of thousands of families in this country.
Author: Mehedi Hossain
Managing Director, JRN International Limited (RL 2830) Deputy Secretary, Bangladesh Recruiting Agencies Forum (BRAF)
