Published : 15 May 2025, 10:28 PM
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Advisor Asif Nazrul has said Malaysia will prioritise recruiting labourers from Bangladesh in the latest batch of foreign workers in the Southeast Asian country.
In a video posted on his verified page on Facebook on Thursday, Nazrul said: “We’ve received information from several sources that Malaysia plans to recruit about 100,000 to 150,000 foreign workers.
“I’ve spoken with their Human Resources Minister, Steven Sim Chee Keong, who assured us Bangladesh will be given top priority.
“The highest number of labourers will be recruited from Bangladesh.”
Nazrul also mentioned meeting with the Malaysian home affairs minister.
According to a report by the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Nazrul said the Malaysian prime minister had assured that around 17,000 Bangladeshi workers who missed the May 31, 2024, deadline to migrate would receive another opportunity to work in Malaysia.
“The Malaysian administration said they will take the workers in phases and have already listed 7,926 names for the first batch.
“They assured us these workers would be able to travel and start working very soon.”
Nazrul said he requested Malaysia’s interior minister to allow Bangladeshi workers multiple-entry visas, highlighting the fact that workers from other countries receive them.
“After a detailed discussion, the minister not only gave his assurance but instructed his officials to take immediate action,” he added.
He also said he requested the recruitment of a skilled workforce from Bangladesh, such as security guards, caregivers, and nurses, and received positive responses.