Although Malaysia has reopened its labour market for Bangladeshi workers, it has imposed around a dozen conditions—several of which Bangladesh finds unacceptable, said Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

Malaysia has set a set of criteria for the recruiting agencies through which Bangladeshi workers will be sent. Under these conditions, agencies must have at least five years of operational experience, a record of sending at least 3,000 workers in the past five years, and experience sending workers to at least three countries.

In addition, agencies must possess a valid licence, a good-conduct certificate, their own training and assessment centre, recommendation letters from at least five international employers, a permanent office space of 10,000 square feet, and proof of compliance with destination-country regulations.

Adviser Nazrul warned that fulfilling all these conditions could lead to the creation of a syndicate.

“Only a handful of agencies would be able to send workers if these standards are enforced. We want an open and competitive labour market,” he said.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after inaugurating the Overseas Employment Platform at a hotel in the capital, Nazrul said Bangladesh has already conveyed its objections regarding several conditions to the Malaysian authorities.

“We will continue discussions with Malaysia until Bangladesh secures a favourable position in their labour market,” he added.

The adviser further said the newly launched employment platform will greatly benefit aspiring overseas workers, particularly by protecting them from fraud and exploitation.