The Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) on Wednesday urged the government to establish a commission or task force to look into financial losses suffered by Bangladeshi migrant workers due to widespread corruption involving recruiting agencies hiring workers for Malaysia.
RMMRU claims that syndicates within the recruitment industry forced thousands of workers to pay between Tk 4,50,000 and Tk 6,50,000 to secure job there, only for many to find themselves jobless upon arrival, though the government-set migration cost was Tk 79,000.
Speaking at a discussion meeting, Dr. C.R. Abrar, executive director of RMMRU, called on the interim government to bring to book those responsible for exploitation of the workers.
This issue was discussed at a meeting titled "Syndicate in the Malaysian Labour Market: Assessing Losses and Ensuring Accountability" at the Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Expressing concern over the reports of political players preparing to re-establish a syndicate for controlling the Malaysian labour market, Dr. Abrar said, "If the Malaysian labour market opens, we must make sure it does so without syndicates.
"This is Bangladesh's largest migration sector, and it suffered tremendously under such arrangements in the past. We cannot go down that path again."
Dr. Abrar highlighted the enduring nature of the corrupt recruitment system, which had been operating for over a decade.
"The system hasn't changed over the years, only the players have," he stated.
Abrar emphasized that any government decisions about labour migration must involve all stakeholders, especially workers and their representatives.
"We must question where the money went and how it was transferred. I've heard that the funds were not transferred to Malaysia directly but were diverted through countries like Dubai and Singapore. This is a significant financial loss for us, and it's deeply disheartening," he said.
Calling for a major overhaul of Bangladesh's approach to labour migration, Dr. Abrar urged BAIRA (Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies) to play a leading role in ensuring transparency within the sector.
"It's time for BAIRA to show strong leadership," he added.
On the issue of compensating workers who were exploited, Dr. Abrar argued that victim migrants should receive five times the amount they lost, which in many cases ranged from Tk 5,00,000 to Tk 6,00,000 despite the official migration cost being capped at Tk 80,000.
"If a worker is eligible for compensation, it should be significant. We're not interested in bureaucratic excuses; the state should support these individuals who have been wronged."
Mostafa Mahmud, former president of BAIRA, alleged that around 100 agencies were involved in the syndicate.
A case was filed against them with the Paltan police station.
"Despite filing the case, those accused are still moving freely and even meeting senior officials from the concerned ministry," Mahmud mentioned.
He warned that the same actors were again trying to establish their syndicate as the Malaysian labour market may reopen to Bangladeshi workers soon.
Mahmud emphasized the need to halt illegal visa
trading.
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