Malaysia’s assurance to prioritize Bangladeshi workers in its upcoming recruitment of up to 150,000 foreign labourers is a rare glimmer of hope for Bangladesh’s aspiring migrants, whose remittances are a lifeline not just for families but also the national economy.
After months of uncertainty and hardship -- thousands stranded by bureaucratic delays and a hiring freeze -- this commitment offers a chance at dignity and decent work for many who continue to go through great risks for a better life.
However, while we are optimistic, we must be realistic, and the reality is that the journey for Bangladeshi migrant workers is too often marred by exploitation, debt bondage, and the ever-present threat of trafficking.
Syndicates and unscrupulous brokers have profited from workers’ desperation, charging exorbitant fees for jobs that sometimes do not exist, leaving migrants stranded, indebted, and vulnerable to abuse both at home and abroad.
Even those who reach the host nations legally can and have faced wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and restrictions on movement, with women especially at risk of harassment and violence.
Bangladesh must therefore prioritize overhauling the current system, rooting out corrupt middlemen and ensuring that only licensed, transparent agencies operate. Simultaneously, we need robust mechanisms for reporting abuse. Workers have every right to safety and dignity, and it is about time this is given the importance it has always warranted.
Upskilling workers is also vital -- not only to meet the demand for skilled roles from potential host nations such as Malaysia but to also empower migrants to negotiate better terms and avoid the most exploitative jobs while keeping up with the needs of the current times.
The hope offered by Malaysia’s new policy must be matched by action -- Bangladeshi migrants offer so much to our country and we must help them pursue their dreams without fear, exploitation, or shame.
