The government is set to begin the process of sending 18,000 migrant workers, who were previously unable to travel to Malaysia, starting in March.
This announcement came from Ruhul Amin, secretary to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, on Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters, Ruhul Amin explained that these workers, who had paid recruitment fees but failed to travel, will now be facilitated to join the workforce in Malaysia.
He further mentioned that migrant workers who wish to withdraw their payments from recruitment agencies before March are free to do so.
Additionally, the ministry has directed recruitment agencies to refund the workers’ money promptly.
Earlier in the day, frustrated workers staged protests at Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar intersection, demanding an expedited resolution to their predicament.
When authorities dispersed the demonstration, the workers regrouped and continued their protest in front of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
The protesters voiced a unified demand – immediate arrangements to send them to Malaysia.
They expressed their grievances, saying that despite paying the required fees, they have neither been sent to Malaysia within the promised timeline nor received refunds from the recruitment agencies.
Their primary demand remains urgent facilitation of their overseas employment.
Shafiul Islam, one of the 18,000 workers unable to travel to Malaysia under the "calling visa" scheme by the May 31, 2024, deadline, shared his plight with Dhaka Tribune.
“Each of us paid nearly Tk5 lakh, often through loans or by borrowing. But failing to go abroad, we are now struggling to survive,” he said.
Another worker, Riazul, echoed similar sentiments.
“We are here to demand our rightful dues. We are not aligned with any political party. Each of us paid between Tk4 lakh-Tk6 lakh for visas, but we couldn’t travel. The pain is unbearable —we’ve taken loans with high interest to fund this,” he explained.
Main Uddin, who led the protest, called for the government’s immediate intervention.
“We urge the authorities to address our issue seriously. We will continue our sit-in program until our demands are met,” he said.
Main Uddin further said: “Our plea is a resounding call for justice, as these workers await action to fulfil their dreams of earning a livelihood abroad.”
He outlined three key demands – ensure all workers who missed the May 31, 2024, deadline is allowed to travel to Malaysia. Secondly, give equal priority to those whose visas were issued but manpower processing was incomplete. And lastly, facilitate the departure of all affected workers by February 20.
