BOESL urged to offer one-stop services for Malaysia-bound workers

Members of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) have demanded the introduction of a “one-stop service” through the government-run recruiting agency Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) for sending workers to the Malaysian labour market.

They made the demand at a press conference held at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday. They also alleged that a syndicate was once again being formed to control recruitment for the Malaysia labour market.

BAIRA former joint secretary general Fakhrul Islam read out a written statement at the press conference.

“We are not in favour of keeping the Malaysian labour market closed. We want the market to reopen quickly. However, it must reopen with equal participation of all legitimate recruiting agencies, rather than under the monopoly control of any individual or group,” he said.

He further alleged that despite repeated public statements by responsible government officials against syndicates, reports from various quarters and media outlets indicate that efforts are underway to create a monopoly recruitment system involving only 25 agencies.

“Tk50 million, or around Tk17 crore, is reportedly being demanded for inclusion on the list. There are even plans to collect a syndicate fee of 5,000 ringgit per worker,” Fakhrul said.

He demanded that all legitimate and eligible Bangladeshi recruiting agencies be allowed to send workers to Malaysia, as is the case with Nepal and other source countries.

“The entire labour market cannot be placed in the hands of 25, 50 or 100 agencies. The provision under which the Malaysian authorities select which Bangladeshi recruiting agencies can send workers must be amended,” he said.

However, if the Malaysian government insists on recruiting workers through a limited number of licensed agencies, the government should enhance BOESL’s capacity and introduce a “one-stop service” through the agency, he said.

“This would allow all legitimate recruiting agencies to operate through BOESL. If necessary, BOESL can supervise them and issue no-objection certificates (NOCs),” Fakhrul added.

Asked whether such a service could actually be introduced through BOESL and how its capacity could be expanded, Fakhrul said the agency’s infrastructure could be developed with 50 to 100 service counters.

“Recruiting agencies would bring the demand letters, and BOESL would send workers based on those demand letters. If necessary, recruiting agencies could pay processing fees to BOESL. It is not a difficult task,” he said.

He said the initiative could be implemented with an office space of 10,000 to 20,000 square feet and 20 to 50 staff members.

“This is not difficult. BOESL and recruiting agencies can jointly implement the system under a public-private partnership model,” he said.

Earlier, former BAIRA Senior Vice President Riazul Islam warned that allowing any syndicate would further damage relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia.

“A syndicate must not be allowed under any circumstances. It would further worsen relations between the two countries because it is a matter of image,” he said.

“We are ready. We will take to the streets. We will go to the Shaheed Minar and observe a hunger strike unto death if a syndicate is formed this time,” he added.

Former BAIRA Joint Secretary General MA Salam, Mofiz Uddin, Akbar Hossain Manju, former EC member Mohammad Ali and Haque Zahirul Ju, among others, were present at the press conference.