KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia and Bangladesh have agreed to expedite the reopening of the labour market for Bangladeshi workers, with a strong focus on reducing recruitment costs and improving transparency in the hiring process.
In a joint statement shared by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan on Facebook following a bilateral meeting in Putrajaya, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening labour migration through a more structured and accountable framework.
“Both Bangladeshi and Malaysian officials reaffirmed their longstanding and mutually beneficial partnership in labour migration,” Ramanan said, adding that both sides are committed to ensuring “safe, orderly, and regular migration.”
A key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to fast-track the intake of Bangladeshi workers based on Malaysia’s sectoral needs, while ensuring a fair and ethical recruitment process.
“Both sides agreed to expedite the reopening of the labour market for Bangladeshi workers based on Malaysia’s sectoral needs, while committing to a fair, ethical, and transparent recruitment process,” he said.
Efforts will also focus on reducing reliance on intermediaries and lowering migration-related costs, including measures to facilitate the recruitment of workers who remain stranded.
Malaysia also outlined plans for a technology-driven hiring system aimed at eliminating worker-paid recruitment fees.
“The Malaysian side briefed on its initiative to introduce a technology-driven, AI-based recruitment system applicable to all source countries, aimed at reducing intermediaries, lowering migration costs, and ensuring that employers bear the full cost of recruitment, resulting in zero cost to workers,” Ramanan said.
The initiative aligns with the Employer Pays Principle advocated by the International Labour Organisation and is expected to be extended to other source countries.
Bangladesh has expressed support for the move and readiness to collaborate on its implementation.
Both countries also addressed concerns over ongoing legal cases linked to human trafficking in recruitment.
“The Malaysian side emphasised the need to address any unfounded or malicious actions that may affect its international reputation,” the statement said, while Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to “due process, accountability, and timely justice.”
Discussions also covered challenges faced by irregular workers, alongside efforts to strengthen cooperation in skills development, certification and information-sharing to better match labour supply with demand.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain close engagement through regular consultations. — April 9, 2026