As many as 3,000 workers have so far lodged complaints for being unable to travel to Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the investigation committee formed by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has been granted an additional five working days to determine why a significant number of workers have been unable to travel to Malaysia.
State Minister Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury provided this information while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment on Tuesday.
The ministry’s Additional Secretary (Employment Division) Noor Md Mahabubul Haque was initially tasked with investigating the reasons behind the workers’ inability to go to Malaysia within seven working days.
As per regulations, Tuesday was the final working day for the inquiry committee. When asked about the progress of the investigation, the state minister explained the need for an extension.
Govt seeks information about workers who could not go to MalaysiaGovt seeks information about workers who could not go to Malaysia
State Minister Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury said, “We are gathering reports of Malaysia’s immigration through various sources, including 101 recruiting agents. This process requires some time. The investigation committee has requested an extension, and we have granted them five more working days. We will review the report after Eid”.
“Our investigation committee is diligently working on the Malaysia issue. We will take action based on the findings, examining every point and place involved. We also track how many people are able to go to Malaysia through immigration in each sector. Additionally, we monitor online demand from Malaysia and the timing of their requests,” he added.
The state minister emphasized the need for an accurate and transparent report to ensure future issues are avoided. He noted that while 3,000 workers have already complained about being unable to go to Malaysia, complaints are still being received, although the final date for submission was June 8.
Shofiqur further added: “No one involved in preventing the workers from going to Malaysia will be exempt from accountability. We will not spare anyone whose actions have damaged our image. They will be brought to justice and legal action will be taken.”
Regarding the refund of money to the workers, the state minister said: “We will sit down to discuss getting the money back. Through negotiation, we will aim to provide maximum compensation.”
When asked about the syndicate, he said: “We will not allow any syndicate. Authorized recruiting agencies will work, and we want an open system where everyone can participate. We do not believe in syndicates.”
Addressing the issue of agencies failing to send workers to Malaysia, the state minister said: “We will call in the recruiting agencies and contact the employers who issued demand notes for jobs. If these agencies are not functioning properly, we will take legal action against them. Actions have already been initiated.”
According to the Malaysian government’s announcement, the last day for Bangladeshi workers with visas to enter the country was May 31. Despite numerous efforts, around 17,000 Bangladeshis who had received clearance from the Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) were unable to travel to Malaysia, the government reported.
