Malaysia, Bangladesh Ensure More Transparent, Fair Worker Recruitment

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Bangladesh have agreed to ensure that the worker recruitment system between both countries is implemented more transparently, fairly and equitably, while stepping up efforts to combat exploitation of migrant workers.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said cooperation in human resource development, particularly involving Bangladeshi workers, is an important factor for the country’s economic sustainability.

However, he said such cooperation raises concerns, particularly regarding humanitarian issues, treatment of workers and the need to ensure a more transparent and fair recruitment system.

“Yes, we need workers. But more importantly, we must ensure the welfare of workers and their families is always protected.

“The practice of exploiting workers, treating them unfairly and making them a source of personal profit is completely unacceptable,” he said.

He said this at a joint press conference with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, in conjunction with his counterpart’s official visit to Malaysia here today.

Anwar said he appreciates Tarique’s openness and their shared commitment to stop all abuses in the worker recruitment system.

“We must lead efforts to stop all these abuses and ensure that the system practised is more transparent, meets the needs of both countries, and at the same time protects the interests of workers and their families,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tarique said he requested Malaysia to consider recruiting more Bangladeshi workers and to reopen the labour market as soon as possible.

He also raised the issue of regularising undocumented workers and repatriating his citizens who are in detention.

“We agreed that the worker recruitment process must be carried out transparently, fairly and equitably, by reducing the role of intermediaries and ensuring lower costs for workers,” he said.

Earlier, Anwar and Tarique witnessed the exchange of one Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cultural Cooperation, as well as two Exchanges of Notes (EoN) in the fields of Counter-Terrorism Research and Investment Promotion and Facilitation.

In the field of Investment Promotion and Facilitation, the document exchange session was represented by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

The field of Counter-Terrorism Research was represented by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, while for Cultural Cooperation, Malaysia was represented by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

Bangladesh was represented by its Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman.

Berita Harian