Sending Workers to Malaysia Could Start in December, First Flights to Be Free of Cost
Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury is hopeful that the process of sending workers to Malaysia can start in December. He said workers will be able to travel to Malaysia free of cost on the first two or three flights.
The minister said this on Thursday (November 5) at a views-exchange meeting at the Probashi Kallyan Bhaban in Eskaton, Dhaka, with recruiting agents listed in the FWCMS for the Malaysia worker-sending process. The information was given in a ministry press release at night.
The minister said: 'December is the month of victory. We want the workers' journey to begin in this month. Let workers start their journey free of cost on the first two or three flights. Alongside that, the worker-sending process will continue on the basis of other demand letters as well.'
The minister also outlined the plan for selecting the workers who will travel free of cost. He said in that case workers will not have to pay any money; applications will be taken through an online notice and there is a plan to select workers from among the applicants through an online lottery.
The minister also said efforts are under way to bring demand letters for workers from Malaysia in the fastest possible time.
At the meeting, recruiting agents proposed setting the migration cost for sending workers to Malaysia privately at a maximum of two and a half to three lakh taka. On the other hand, it was stated that workers would be sent free of cost through the government institution Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL).
On the matter, the minister said everyone has agreed that the migration cost can be a maximum of two and a half to three lakh taka. He commented that ordinary people will benefit from this.
The minister also said the ministry is working to ensure equal opportunity for all valid agencies in the country, instead of keeping the opportunity to send workers to Malaysia limited to a few specific recruiting agencies. He also expressed hope that a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the matter could be signed by December.
The minister said the medical test fee for Malaysia-bound workers has been fixed at eight thousand taka. He made clear that no more money can be charged than that.
The minister also warned that if proof of charging extra money is found, strict legal action will be taken, including cancellation of the licence of the institution concerned.
At the meeting, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare Nurul Haque directed that careful watch be kept so that poor workers do not suffer because of an agency's negligence or irregularities.
