Dhaka has urged Kuala Lumpur to do what is necessary to take stranded Bangladeshi migrant workers back to old or new places of work in Malaysia on humanitarian grounds.
Dhaka has also requested that cooperation be extended to the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment to find a solution to the ongoing migrant worker issue.
The matters were discussed when newly appointed Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Hazanah Md Hasim met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam at the latter’s office on Thursday.
The state minister congratulated the High Commissioner on her appointment in Dhaka and assured her of full cooperation during her assignment in Dhaka.
Shahriar Alam said Malaysia is a trusted friend and partner of Bangladesh and the two countries have enjoyed a strong bilateral relationship since Bangladesh’s independence.
A considerable number of Bangladeshi workers and professionals are living in Malaysia and contributing immensely to both economies.
The state minister noted that Malaysia is an advanced economy and a development hub in the Asia Pacific region, doing remarkably well amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said Bangladesh and Malaysia have significant potential for extension and diversification of the partnership in various sectors, including science and technology, healthcare, education, trade, tourism and energy.
Referring to the recent trend in bilateral trade between the two countries, the state minister underscored the necessity of new initiatives.
He also suggested that Malaysia consider widening its tariff concession, for greater market access of Bangladeshi products.
Referring to the program for regularization and voluntary repatriation of migrant workers, the state minister expressed gratitude to Malaysia for standing beside Bangladeshi expatriates during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The high commissioner assured the state minister that she would take the issue of the return of the workers and students to KL, and hoped that these issues would be solved soon.
The state minister thanked Malaysia for strong political and humanitarian support regarding the Rohingyas, and sought a more proactive role for Asean and Malaysia on the repatriation issue.
He appreciated the establishment and continuation of the Field Hospital at Cox’s Bazar to serve Rohingyas.
