Malaysian government sources have announced that they are working to recruit workers from Bangladesh on a zero-cost basis in the near future. The negotiation regarding the issue is in its final stages and the agreement is to be signed soon. The ‘zero-cost recruitment’ initiative would mean that all costs of travel and the recruitment process would be borne by the concerned employers. This is undoubtedly great news for the people of the country, many of whom struggle to bear the cost of going abroad to work.
The agreement for migrant Bangladesh workers is part of Malaysia’s efforts to avoid risking US trade sanctions. The government of Bangladesh however, will not send workers to Malaysia before a low-cost and transparent system of recruitment comes into place.
The burden of expenses being shifted to
employers will ensure that the workers are not scammed by different recruitment agencies
The burden of expenses being shifted to employers will ensure that the workers are not scammed by different recruitment agencies. Moreover, those who previously could not afford to go abroad for work will be greatly benefitted through this initiative. No doubt that this move will help thousands of people come out of poverty and transform their lives.
The initiative will mean that Bangladesh will be able to send workers abroad in numbers larger than before. This will in turn increase the remittance earned by the country, helping us smoothly transition to a developed country. Our large labour force is one of our most valuable resources. Not only should we properly utilize this resource, we must remember to prioritize the safety and well-being of these workers who travel thousands of miles to earn a living.
In the past year, there have been many instances of migrant worker deaths, which has shocked and saddened us beyond works. The government must work with other countries to ensure the safety and rights of migrant workers.