18,000 workers fail to go to Malaysia – responsibility lies with recruiting agencies

Staff Reporter

Despite obtaining clearance from the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), 17,777 workers could not go to Malaysia. A committee formed by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has stated that the recruiting agencies are fully responsible for this failure.

On Sunday, April 27, a report regarding this matter was submitted to the High Court bench comprising Justice Farzana Kabir and Justice Mubinul Asaf.

The court directed to submit a report by August 27 detailing the actions taken against the recruiting agencies, the refund of money to the affected workers, and the progress in sending them to Malaysia.

Lawyer Md. Tanvir Ahmed appeared for the writ petitioner during the hearing. Deputy Attorney General Shafiqur Rahman and Tamim Khan represented the state.

Lawyer Tanvir Ahmed said the negligence of recruiting agencies became evident as they failed to send workers abroad even after obtaining BMET clearance.

The committee’s report stated that it is the responsibility of recruiting agencies to obtain BMET clearance for migrant workers, arrange employment, and ensure working conditions. Therefore, the failure to send 17,777 workers to Malaysia despite clearance lies entirely with the concerned agencies.

Based on Sunday’s report, the High Court inquired about what actions have been taken against recruiting agencies, whether all money has been refunded to victims, and what initiatives have been taken to send them to Malaysia.

In June last year, lawyer Tanvir Ahmed filed a writ petition in the High Court regarding workers affected by the failure to send them to Malaysia. During the hearing, the High Court issued a rule asking why the authorities’ inaction should not be declared illegal and why the affected workers should not be directed to get their money back with interest. The court also ordered submitting progress reports every three months.

The bench of Justice Mostafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon passed this order.

Lawyer Tanvir Ahmed said the High Court had earlier directed to inform about steps regarding workers not going to Malaysia within seven days. Accordingly, the state submitted a report stating that money taken from workers must be refunded by July 18. The report also mentioned taking action against recruiting agencies for failing to send workers.