COLUMNS
Nepal-Malaysia migration corridor
Attempts to impose a total employment syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia have raised concerns.
Post Illustration
Andy Hall & Dhurba Mijar
Published at : June 8, 2025
Sourced from: https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2025/06/08/nepal-malaysia-migration-corridor
In 2023, more than 220,000 Nepalis went to Malaysia, the most popular destination for workers seeking income. Although Malaysia is an ‘attractive’ destination for Nepali citizens, most suffer gross exploitation in reality when migrating to and working in the country. High recruitment costs and related debt bondage, false terms of employment, and dangerous, dirty and demeaning jobs. Fake employers acting as outsourcing agents treat workers like cattle or leave them at risk of arrest, extortion and deportation.
Nepalis in Malaysia also experience ineffective grievance mechanisms and dire consular assistance from the Nepali Embassy, in addition to passport confiscation, limited freedom of movement, violence and even death. Security guards, a job assigned exclusively to Nepali foreign workers, face some of the worst exploitation, ranging from excessive, compulsory overtime, no day off, irregular salary payment and deductions, poor housing, to lack of access to healthcare.
Most recently, from 2022 to 2024, the Bangladesh–Malaysia migration corridor was completely controlled by a syndicatethat led to the trafficking of Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in the country. The UN condemned this abuse in multiple statements, as workers shouldered debts of $5,000 and destitution once they arrived in Malaysia at non-existent jobs. Recruitment, travel, visa and medical check agencies were all selected to be part of the exclusive syndicate, which saw most business actors shut out.
Similarly, some syndicates have allegedly existed in Nepal’s migration processes to Malaysia for medical, visa, or security. However, migration costs from Nepal to Malaysia are lower than those from Bangladesh, and the entire recruitment system has never been syndicated. The number of agencies processing workers for migration to Malaysia was never restricted. However, similar efforts to impose a total syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia, like those in Bangladesh, have recently sparked accusations and denials.
The Malaysian migration system is rotten. It is plagued by systemic corruption, impunity and a lack of the rule of law. There is also an absence of a long-term migration policy that equally prioritises national, economic and human security. But the recently exposed Bhutanese refugee scam and the fake visit visa scandal have revealed widespread abuse of power in Nepal, too. Nepalis are trafficked into debt and forced labour across the world, and the ministers seem increasingly complicit in this.
Malaysia is a relatively developed country reliant on migrant labour-intensive global supply chains. It exports products made using foreign labour, such as palm oil, garments, electronics and furniture. Malaysia is obliged, at least on paper, to adhere to international Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) frameworks. Any form of syndicate when recruiting workers into its global supply chains that increases recruitment costs, forced labour and debt bondage risks, and dilutes transparency and fair competition raises questions about its commitment to ESG principles.
Migrant debt bondage due to exorbitant recruitment costs resulted in the US Customs and Border Protection placing a forced labour import ban on several prominent Malaysian companies from 2020 onwards. These companies paidmillions to workers, with the highest amount to those from Bangladesh, as reimbursement for recruitment costs to victims of abuse to clear their names.
If a total syndicate is implemented to tightly control who can process workers for migration within the Nepal-Malaysia migration corridor, it will lead to cronyism, processing delays and higher costs. Political coalitions in the country could also disintegrate over corruption controversies. This would not only affect the Nepali government and its workers, but also responsible Malaysian employers.
Despite significant implementation weaknesses, Nepal’s lower-cost recruitment policies attracted responsible Malaysian companies to hire Nepalis rather than Bangladeshis until May 2024, when all recruitment was suspended due to systemic irregularities and abuse. However, if a syndicate is implemented for Nepal, decent companies in Malaysia will shun recruiting Nepalis for alternatives where syndicates are not active.
This would leave Nepalis migrating to Malaysia only for jobs in sectors that do not prioritise worker welfare and are not linked to global supply chains, such as security, cleaning, local restaurants, construction and local manufacturing. The syndicate will burden Nepalis financially, ensuring higher recruitment costs whilst profiting corrupt actors. Illegal transactions of laundered cash to pay the demanded illicit commission in Malaysia would rise, affecting the national economy and raising questions about commitments to financial governance.
International efforts to develop a responsible recruitment framework focused on Malaysia’s migration corridor were most successful in Nepal. If a recruitment syndicate is implemented, these achievements will be lost, and Nepalis will face a sad situation similar to that of Bangladeshis.
Discussions are underway about only letting a few manpower agencies participate in a syndicate. This means others will be excluded from Malaysia’s labour market, forced to lay off staff or close. This would violate Nepal’s Constitution and the Competition Promotion and Market Protection Act of 2007, guaranteeing citizens the right to sell goods and services fairly and competitively. Any syndicate could and would be challenged in the Supreme Court.
However, it is necessary to end unhealthy competition and corrupt practices of most manpower agencies in Nepal, such as paying higher commissions to secure manpower demands over competitors at any cost to workers or Malaysian agents or employers.
The 2018 MoU signed between Nepal and Malaysia concerning recruitment, employment and repatriation of Nepali workers helped slightly to promote dignified labour migration. However, both governments’ lack of concern in reviewing the agreement, which expired last year, raises doubts about their commitment to worker welfare.
Despite the necessity of discussions on improving the welfare of workers migrating from countries like Nepal and Bangladesh to Malaysia, we are forced to focus on preventing monopolistic practices that threaten workers’ most basic rights.
Any non-transparent monopoly in Nepal’s migrant worker recruitment processes will harm the country’s remittance-dependent economy. If everyone remains silent as recruitment syndicates develop, the exploitation of Nepalese will deepen.
Nepal’s recruitment industry should engage the government to develop more responsible recruitment systems for Malaysian and other key destination countries for Nepali workers. The government of Nepal should also ensure its cabinet ministers do not sign unfair agreements and instead take the lead in building collective efforts with other migrant source countries, like Bangladesh, to stand against the bullying tactics of corrupt groups—both in Malaysia and Nepal—that may be seeking to expand a recruitment syndicate.
Nepal should strengthen ethical recruitment processes to impose upon destination countries that are desperate for loyal and hard-working Nepali nationals. Similarly, Malaysia, in coordination with countries like Nepal, must reform its rotten migration management systems and prioritise on worker welfare, ensuring transparency, and fulfil its obligations as a developed nation to stop the spread of exploitation, impunity and a lack of rule of law into recruitment experiences of the region’s most vulnerable migrant workers.
Andy Hall
Hall is an independent migrant worker rights specialist.
Dhurba Mijar
Mijar is the director and founder of Migration Dristi.
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Malaysiakini 7th June 2025: Duped, deported, and in debt: Nepal’s migrant worker trap
Published: Jun 7, 2025 9:00 AM
Two years after this deal was inked, details emerged alleging that Khadka had extorted up to NPR5 million per institution that wanted to be on the biometric medical testing panel. #nepalimigrant #malaysia #labourmigration #Corruption #medicalreports #Biometrics #nepali
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/745440 Malaysiakini
Supported by the Pulitzer Center
Additional Reporting Gopal Dahal
Kantipur 8th Jan 2025: Visit visa issue – need for an integrated immigration policy
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TBS 23rd May 2025: Malaysia to reopen labour market to Bangaldeshi migrants, syndicate stays but may expand agency list – ‘major modern slavery risk continues: my response’
MIGRATION
My response, attributed to Andy Hall, independent, migrant, worker rights specialist (23rd May 2025): ‘The continuation of a widely condemned, non transparent and corrupted recruitment process between Bangladesh and Malaysia would likely ensure that an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia continues to firmly control this high risk migration corridor. Ethical, decent Malaysian employers producing compliance sensitive products for global supply chains will not hire Bangladeshi workers through a recruitment syndicate that continues to see these vulnerable workers yet again paying extortionate recruitment fees, and that breeds impunity and systemic corruption. The risks of modern slavery are too high for such decent employers. Bangladesh, its people and its remittance potential will suffer severely from a recruitment syndicate system that ensures Bangladesh workers only secure the worst and least paid, most dirty, dangerous and demeaning jobs in Malaysia. A corrupted migration corridor between Bangladesh and Malaysia is clearly systemic of a rotten migration management system in Malaysia that undermines the rule of law and encourages criminal cartels to operate with impunity. Meanwhile, this concerning outcome is emblematic of the failures of a weak and likewise corrupted Bangladeshi state to protect its vulnerable migrant workers from unethical recruitment practices and that continues to see Bangladeshi citizens traveling for low paid work overseas in acute debt bondage, paying the highest recruitment related fees and costs seen anywhere in the world.’
TBS Report
23 May, 2025
Sourced from: https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/migration/malaysia-reopen-labour-market-syndicate-stays-may-expand-agency-list-1149561?amp
According to sources at the expatriates’ welfare ministry, the Malaysian delegation – led by Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Human Resources M Shahrin bin Omar – remained firm on continuing the syndicated recruitment system, under which a limited number of Bangladeshi agencies are authorised to send workers
Representational image of Malaysia capital Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Collected
Highlights:
- Malaysia to retain syndicated recruitment system, citing agency management challenges
- Only 101 Bangladeshi agencies authorised, out of 2,500+ registered
- Syndicate linked to corruption; some charged up to Tk6 lakh, official cap Tk79,000
- Malaysia closed the labour market in June 2024 due to corruption, irregularities
After a year-long closure, Malaysia is expected to reopen its labour market to Bangladeshi workers soon following a two-day joint working group meeting between the two countries, which ended in Dhaka on Thursday (22 May).
According to sources at the expatriates’ welfare ministry, the Malaysian delegation – led by Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Human Resources M Shahrin bin Omar – remained firm on continuing the syndicated recruitment system, under which a limited number of Bangladeshi agencies are authorised to send workers.
However, the Malaysian side may expand the current syndicate of 101 recruitment agencies, and those facing legal action over worker exploitation may be dropped, sources said.
Malaysia closed its labour market to Bangladeshi workers in June 2024, citing concerns over corruption and irregularities in the recruitment process.
20th May 2025: BAIRA faction alleged attack during press briefing against Malaysian labour market syndicate
This limited group of agencies, widely known as the syndicate, has been linked to significant corruption, with some charging up to Tk6 lakh to send a worker, while Bangladesh fixed the cost at Tk79,000 in 2022.
An official present at the joint meeting, speaking to TBS on condition of anonymity, said, “Malaysia wants to hire workers through a limited number of agencies as before. However, the number of agencies may increase this time.”
When asked how many more agencies might be added to the current list of 101, he replied, “No final decision has been made on this yet.”
“We strongly raised the issue of amending the clauses of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed between the two countries. However, the Malaysian side said it would be difficult for them to manage a larger number of agencies. The delegation did not take a final position on the matter — a decision will be made by their cabinet,” the official added.
The meeting also discussed capping migration costs and issuing multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers.
The Bangladesh delegation was led by Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, senior secretary of the expatriates’ welfare ministry. A record of the discussion was signed following the meeting.
Meanwhile, a scheduled press conference by Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy for international affairs to the chief adviser, after yesterday’s GWG meeting was cancelled.
Earlier on Wednesday, following the opening session of the JWG meeting, Lutfey Siddiqu told reporters that the process of sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia will be made fully transparent, with no room for irregularities or discrimination.
“In the first phase, around 8,000 workers who had completed all procedures but could not travel due to the closure of the labour market last year will now be sent,” he said, adding that they will be dispatched quickly through Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) under a government-to-government arrangement.
Siddiqi also noted that due to the large number of recruiting agencies in Bangladesh, the Malaysian government prefers to work with a limited number.
“To ensure transparency, today’s [Wednesday] joint working group meeting will discuss possible amendments to the existing memorandum of understanding,” he said.
He also clarified that Malaysia has not imposed any conditions regarding the reopening of the labour market.
In 2021, Malaysia allowed only 101 Bangladeshi recruitment agencies to send workers, even though the country has over 2,500 registered agencies.
During a visit to Malaysia on 15 May, Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul indicated that the market will be reopened for Bangladeshis.
Regarding employment, he said, “We have learned from various sources that Malaysia may take in 1,00,000 to 1,50,000 foreign workers in the next few months. We have been assured by the Malaysian human resources minister that Bangladesh will be given top priority in taking in people. The largest number of people will be taken from Bangladesh.”
Bloomberg EXCLUSIVE 15th May 2025: Malaysia Asks Bangladesh to Withdraw Migrant Labor Probes
Original Source: Bloomberg by Anders Melin – 15 May 2025
The Malaysian government has asked Bangladesh to review and withdraw “unsubstantiated allegations” of wrongdoing in labor migration between the two countries to improve Malaysia’s rating in an annual US report on human trafficking.
“Allegations of human trafficking and money laundering — largely unsubstantiated — have impacted the Malaysian reputation,” Azman Mohd Yusof, secretary-general of the nation’s Ministry of Human Resources, wrote in a letter dated April 23.
Bloomberg News reviewed a copy of the letter, which was sent to Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, senior secretary of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. An official familiar with the letter confirmed its authenticity.
The two governments are in talks to restart recruitment of Bangladeshi workers by Malaysian companies. Malaysia halted all such recruitment a year ago following widespread reports of workers who didn’t get the jobs they were promised despite paying thousands of dollars in fees, drawing criticism from the United Nations. Both Bangladesh’s police and anti-corruption agency have opened investigations into recruitment matters since then.
Azman asked Neyamat to review all pending allegations and withdraw those without merit, to ensure Malaysia “will preserve and enhance” its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) rankings, Azman wrote, referring to the US State Department’s assessment. It ranks countries based on their efforts to acknowledge and fight human trafficking.
“In addition, we request to prevent the revival of dismissed cases through a formal mechanism,” Azman wrote.
Neyamat and Asif Nazrul, who is part of Bangladesh’s cabinet and oversees the Expat Ministry, both declined to comment on the letter. A representative for Malaysia’s HR Ministry didn’t respond to a request for comment. It’s not clear if Bangladesh has responded to the letter.
It was sent just weeks ahead of high-level meetings between Malaysian and Bangladeshi officials to discuss recruitment. Neyamat and Asif are poised to meet Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim in Putrajaya on Thursday.
Full story available here
16th May 2025 Channel News Asia (CNA): Malaysia to resume recruitment of stranded Bangladeshi workers, vows to protect them from abuse, fraud
FMT 15th May 2025: Bangladesh clears Malaysia of labour abuse claims
Daily Star Editorial 15th May 2025: Don’t let Malaysia recruitment syndicates exploit migrants again – Workers’ rights must be prioritised during bilateral talks
Daily Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia job market – Bangladeshis may be given preference
Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia committed to protecting Bangladeshi workers from exploitation, says Saifuddin
Daily Sun 16th May 2025: Malaysian labour market beckons Bangladeshis again
New Nation 16th May 2025: Malaysia labour market set to reopen
SCMP 15th May 2025: Malaysia, Bangladesh urged to act on labour trafficking before ending migrant worker freeze
‘Thousands’ of Bangladeshis are stranded without jobs in Malaysia after a hiring freeze forced them to overstay illegally, activists say
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FMT 15th May 2025: Malaysia asks Bangladesh to withdraw migrant labour probes (taken from Bloomberg media)
Daily Star 15th May 2025: Bangladesh Malaysia agrees to recruit ‘large number’ of Bangladeshi workers
Daily Star 14th May 2025: Bangladeshi migrants in malaysia: Dhaka’s uphill battle to break syndicate chains
The 2 countries begin talks tomorrow
Porimol Palma, Mohammad Jamil Khan
Wed May 14, 2025
Starting tomorrow, Bangladesh and Malaysia will hold a series of meetings, as the former faces an uphill task of reforming the labour recruitment system long plagued by syndication and corruption.
Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul will meet Malaysian Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in Putrajaya tomorrow, according to official documents.
Afterwards, the third official-level joint working group meeting will take place in Dhaka on May 21-22, followed by a meeting between Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in mid-July.
Following the formation of the interim government, Anwar Ibrahim was the first head of a foreign government to visit Bangladesh and meet the chief adviser last October.
The prominent topic of discussions was cooperation on labour recruitment and welfare, alongside other agendas including trade, investment and regional cooperation.ed to Malaysia on 13th May 2025 and on 14th May visited allege forced labour victims at Mediceram Sdn Bhd
Now, as Malaysia prepares to begin fresh labour recruitments, opening the market to Bangladeshis and ensuring migrants’ rights will figure high in the upcoming meetings.
Speaking to The Daily Star yesterday, Sarwoer Alam, deputy secretary of the expatriates’ welfare ministry, said, “Our focus will be on the reopening of the labour market and regularisation of the undocumented Bangladeshis in Malaysia.”
He added that the government will try to open the labour market to all capable recruiting agencies.
According to Malaysian official data, 898,970 Bangladeshis are currently working in Malaysia — the highest number among foreign nationalities after Indonesians and Nepalis. Migrant rights activists in Malaysia say the actual number would be higher if undocumented migrants were counted.
The rights activists reported numerous issues affecting the labour recruitment sector, with many migrants left jobless, unpaid, underpaid, defrauded or trapped in debt.
LABOUR ISSUES PERSIST UNCHECKED
Labour recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia has been halted multiple times since formal recruitment began in the 1990s, largely due to powerful lobbies in both countries. The latest instance was in 2022, when Malaysia selected only 101 Bangladeshi agencies to conduct recruitment without clarifying the criteria for selection.
Before halting recruitment in May 2024, Malaysia had recruited nearly 500,000 Bangladeshis. Each of these workers reportedly spent between $4,500 and $6,000 for a job there. Many employers were allegedly fraudulent but managed to secure approval to recruit foreign workers by bribing officials in both countries.
Nepal-based migrant rights activist Andy Hall, who closely follows Malaysia’s labour issues, estimated that around 1-2 lakh Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia were jobless last year.
“By now, some of them might have managed jobs, but there are others who have become jobless,” he told this newspaper.
“We’ve seen many workers unpaid or underpaid. They report to the labour department, but hardly get redress … New recruitment, as being discussed, can definitely happen but what about the ones already jobless and in trouble?” Hall questioned.
An independent migration researcher based in Kuala Lumpur said it is unimaginable how so many Bangladeshis in Malaysia are surviving without jobs or pay, after spending large sums to migrate.
Many workers become undocumented because their employers fail to renew their visas. Others fall into this category because they cannot get their passports renewed on time by the Bangladesh high commission, he said.
“These workers remain indebted and worried for their families. This is a serious level of migrant exploitation,” he told The Daily Star, requesting anonymity for fear of being targeted by agents and authorities.
Meanwhile, the same syndicate of 101 recruiting agencies in Bangladesh is lobbying the interim government to reopen the Malaysian market.
Mohammed Fakhrul Islam, joint secretary general-1 of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), said, “I am not against the reopening of the market, but the question is how will it be reopened, what will be the recruitment system — syndicated or open for all agencies?”
He said corrupt leaders and officials were involved in the syndicate earlier, adding, “Will the interim government that was established to check inequality follow the same path? It will be extremely unfortunate if it does.”
Fakhrul, who regularly campaigns against the syndicate, said Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, who has a good rapport with Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim, must work to dismantle the syndicate and help reduce recruitment costs.
Andy Hall said Nepal has always strongly opposed syndicates in Malaysia’s labour recruitment, allowing it to secure a far better deal than Bangladesh.
“I would urge Bangladesh to take a strong position against the syndicate if it wants to improve the lives of the migrants in Malaysia.”
He also said Malaysia must address the issue of jobless migrants before beginning new recruitment. “Those who are unemployed can be recruited into the companies that want new workers,” he suggested.
18,000 WORKERS LIE IN WAIT
During Anwar Ibrahim’s visit last October, a key request made by Bangladesh was for the recruitment of nearly 18,000 Bangladeshis who had already paid Tk 4–5 lakh and obtained visas.
These workers were scheduled to fly to Malaysia by May 31, 2024. However, a ticket shortage — caused by a surge in demand before the deadline — prevented many from travelling.
Some others, despite having tickets, were unable to go as the Malaysian government blacklisted the companies that hired them.
The workers filed complaints with the government and staged several protests, prompting the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia to raise the issue with Malaysian authorities.
A joint technical group, comprising representatives from Malaysia’s immigration department and the Bangladesh High Commission, was formed and initially created a list of around 8,000 workers for recruitment. However, the workers have yet to travel.
“This is a priority issue for Bangladesh to discuss and take forward,” a foreign ministry official said.
Regarding the renewed engagement with Malaysia, BAIRA Secretary General Ali Haider Chowdhury said, “It is essential to prioritise the regulations of both governments, safeguard the interests of workers and ensure low-cost migration.”
Daily Sun 15th May 2025: REOPENING OF MALAYSIAN LABOUR MARKET – A new deal or another compromise with syndication?
TBS 14th May 2025: Rights body urges syndicate-free hiring as expatriate adviser visits Malaysia
FMT 14th May 2025: Malaysia-Bangladesh labour talks must address cartel issues, says ex-MP as Bangladeshi Expatriates Advisor Arrives in Malaysia
FMT 7th Apr 2025: Activist warns of syndicate threat to migrant labour reforms in Malaysia
07 Apr 2025
As the government gets ready to reopen the hiring of foreign workers, migrant rights activist Andy Hall claims a recruitment syndicate has been revived.
Sourced from: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/04/07/activist-warns-of-syndicate-threat-to-migrant-labour-reforms/
PETALING JAYA: A migrant worker recruitment syndicate has become active again and may block efforts to reform the hiring of Bangladeshi and Nepali workers when Malaysia reopens the intake of foreign workers, according to a migrant rights activist.
Andy Hall said the syndicate is believed to have some control over the recruitment and management of foreign workers in Malaysia and caused serious problems for Bangladeshi workers between 2022 and 2024.
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ProthomAlo 18th April 2025: Bangladesh: Awami League supporters are dropping out, but the ‘Malaysia Circle’ is trying to form again
হোমঅন্যান্য
মালয়েশিয়ায় আবারও সিন্ডিকেটের পাঁয়তারা, সতর্ক করলেন শ্রম অধিকার কর্মী
বাংলা ট্রিবিউন রিপোর্ট
০৭ এপ্রিল ২০২৫, ১৯:০৫ (Syndicates are on the rise again in Malaysia, warns labor rights activist)
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“Many workers had to pay exorbitant amounts just to come to Malaysia. Some were recruited by fake employers and ended up unemployed, destitute, and trapped in debt bondage,” he told FMT.
In early 2024, several United Nations agencies raised concerns about abuses in the process of recruiting Bangladeshi workers, following formal complaints from Hall.
Malaysia halted all foreign worker recruitment in May last year, although some hiring continued in the plantation and security sectors. The suspension has lasted for 10 months and is expected to be lifted soon.
Hall said a 2021 agreement with Bangladesh needs to be reviewed, while an expired agreement with Nepal also needs to be updated, before the labour market is reopened.
He said problematic clauses must be removed “so as to rid the system of syndicates once and for all”.
Hall said many workers’ lives had been ruined by debt bondage and other abuses through “irresponsible, irregular and unethical recruitment, and impunity for such behaviour”.
He said home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had stated in January last year that labour agreements with 15 countries would be reviewed, but no new deals have been revealed so far.
He also raised concerns about the continued use of a management system which came under parliamentary criticism for being open to access by unauthorised users.
Several groups and MPs have demanded it to be replaced after claims that the system was used by syndicates to control the recruitment process and raise costs.
In November 2024, Bloomberg reported that Bangladesh had written to Interpol asking for help to extradite people in Malaysia linked to the system who had “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and subjected them to “physical and mental torture.”
Related stories
TBS 8th May 2025: Halt Malaysia worker flow if syndicate persists: Labour stakeholders to govt
Bangla News 24 8th 2025: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia
That dream is still elusive (Bangladeshi Language)
Ratopati 8th May 2025: Foreign employment: Syndicate of manpower professionals in Nepal tries to exclusively send migrant workers to Malaysia (Nepali language)
Madhyahana Daily 7th May 2025: There Is No Possibility Of Forming A Syndicate In Nepal Malaysian Employment: Nepal Labor Minister Bhandari Statement
SajhaSabal 6th May 2025: Foreign Employment Nepal – Malaysia Employment: Are Recruitment Syndicate Operators in Nepal and Malaysia More Powerful Than the Government? Whose Plan Is This? (Bangladeshi Malaysia like recruitment syndicate fears hit Nepal Malaysia recruitment market) (Nepali Language)
5th May 2025 Daily Star: BAIRA urges govt to reopen Malaysian labour market
5th May 2025 Kalerkantho: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia – 8 billion taka of workers’ money in Swapan’s pocket
5th May Prothomalo: Bangladesh Memorandum to the Chief Advisor – Demand to open Malaysia’s labor market to all legal agencies
Kalerkantho 1 May, 2025: Swapan-Amin’s luxurious life with workers’ money from Bangladesh/Malaysia migrant worker recruitment scam
Kalerkantho 01 May, 2025: Bangladeshi Workers are living inhumane lives in Bangladesh without getting their money back due to Malaysian recruitment syndicate/scam
30th April 2025 Kalerkantho: Swapan-Amin cycle active again – Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia
FMT 18th May 2025: 33 Bangladeshi migrant workers sue Malaysian recruitment firm, Malaysian govt over job scam from alleged syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia
In their suit, the workers say they were left stranded after paying RM25,000 each in recruitment fees for a job scam with a monthly salary of up to RM2,500.
Original Source: FMT Reporters – May 18, 2025
A group of migrant workers from Bangladesh are suing a recruitment company and the government for leaving them jobless in Malaysia after an alleged job scam involving payment of tens of thousands of ringgit each in fees.
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Daily Star 19th May 2025: ‘Job scam’ – 33 Bangladeshis sue Malaysian firm, govt for Tk 4.8cr
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The 33 workers seek a court declaration that they were victims of human trafficking and a job scam.
In their statement of claim, the workers sought RM1.71 million in compensation from the company, made up of RM25,000 each in fees to a “recruiting agent”, and RM27,000 being 18 months’ promised salary of RM1,500 a month from October 2023 to March 2025.
They also seek payment of RM1,500 a month in promised salary from April 2025 until the disposal of the suit.
The workers also seek compensation from the government, a declaration that the authorities were negligent, and a court order to prevent their detention by the immigration department pending the disposal of the suit.
In the statement of claim, the workers said they were brought to Malaysia after being promised employment as construction workers and had been assured by the Bangladesh high commission in Malaysia of the authenticity of the job offers.
They said they were promised a monthly salary of between RM1,500 and RM2,500, but were asked to pay fees amounting to RM25,000 each to obtain quota approvals, levies, temporary work passes, health checks, and commissions for the job agents.
They said in the claim that they realised only later on that it was the responsibility of the employer to pay all these costs.
The workers said they arrived in Malaysia in batches between June and October 2023 but were left without a job.
They were asked to hand over their travel documents and passports, before being housed in several dormitories in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, which they said were owned by the company.nullnull
The workers said they later learned that the job offers were not genuine and they had to remain in the dorms for several months, being supplied with only basic necessities to cook for themselves.
The workers then lodged a complaint with migrant worker rights group Tenaganita, which led to an investigation by the labour department, according to the legal firm of Saleh & Aizac, which filed the suit at the High Court in Shah Alam in March.
Named in the suit as defendants are Meranti Binamas Sdn Bhd, the secretary-general of the human resources ministry, the director-general of immigration, and the government.
5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case
Police in Bangladesh have asked the government of Malaysia to arrest and extradite two businessmen as part of a probe of alleged money laundering, extortion, and migrant trafficking of workers.
Original Source: Bloomberg by Anders Melin – 5 November 2024
The men, Aminul Islam and Ruhul Amin, are alleged to have played key roles in a system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and exposed them to “physical and mental torture,” according to the letter dated Oct. 24 that Bangladesh’s branch of Interpol sent to its counterpart in Malaysia.
Bloomberg News reviewed a copy of the letter, which doesn’t say whether the men have been charged. Police Inspector Ashiqur Rahman, who is part of Bangladesh’s Interpol branch, confirmed the contents in a telephone interview on Sunday. A senior Bangladeshi government official, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the matter, also confirmed the letter.
The South Asian nation’s police asked that Malaysia’s government temporarily halt its use of the software provided by Bestinet Sdn., a closely held company that Aminul founded. Malaysian officials have used this software to process and monitor hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Bangladesh and other countries since at least 2018.
Aminul, who’s commonly known as Amin, was born in Bangladesh and gained Malaysian citizenship more than a decade ago. His lawyer said they had not received any information about the letter and categorically denied the allegations raised in it.
For full article please click here
Additional reading
Important article by PSM/Rani Rasiah 11th Nov 2024 – Extradition call – Justice in sight for migrant worker recruitment fraud victims?
Daily Star 11th Nov 2024: Dhaka, KL must act to end trafficking
FMT 10th Nov 2024: Govt wants Dhaka to clarify extradition request for duo
FMT 7th Nov 2024: Silence not an option, govt told, as Bangladesh seeks duo’s extradition
Free Malaysia Today 6th Nov 2024: Bestinet founder denies misconduct amid report of extradition
Original Source: FMT – 6th November 2024
It was reported that Bangladeshi police had written to Putrajaya requesting the arrest and extradition of Aminul Islam and an associate.
Sourced from: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/11/06/bestinet-founder-denies-misconduct-amid-report-of-extradition/
PETALING JAYA: An IT firm’s founder has rejected suggestions of misconduct after it was reported that Bangladeshi police were seeking his extradition in relation to a probe linked to migrant worker recruitment.
Bloomberg yesterday reported that Bangladeshi police had written to Putrajaya requesting the arrest and extradition of Bestinet Sdn Bhd founder Aminul Islam and an associate, Ruhul Amin, to facilitate investigations into alleged money laundering, extortion and migrant trafficking of workers.
Bestinet has a government contract to provide IT systems for the recruitment of foreign workers, known as the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS). Bangladeshi police have requested Putrajaya to temporarily halt its use.
In a statement, Aminul’s lawyer N Sivananthan said the Bloomberg article’s insinuation that his client or Bestinet might be involved in illegal practices was “completely unfounded”.null
He denied any suggestion linking either Aminul or Bestinet with human trafficking or money laundering.
Sivananthan said neither Aminul nor Bestinet had engaged in recruitment processes or had direct interactions with recruitment agencies or potential hires in Bangladesh or elsewhere.
Bestinet’s role, he said, is strictly limited to providing implementation and technical support for FWCMS.
“Aminul has not, at any point, been involved in activities beyond the officially sanctioned scope of Bestinet’s technology services,” said Sivananthan, adding that Aminul only served as a shareholder at Bestinet.
“Bestinet’s technology is specifically developed to foster transparent and lawful recruitment practices, which are closely monitored and regulated by Malaysian and Bangladeshi government bodies.
“All recruitment decisions remain solely under the purview of the relevant government authorities in Malaysia and Bangladesh… and every aspect of the FWCMS platform operates in full compliance with the Malaysian home ministry and immigration department standards, as well as international guidelines.”
He added that FWCMS features secure measures, including biometric verification, health screening integration, digital tracking of documentation, and secure payment processing, which are designed to protect foreign workers and minimise the risk of exploitation.
Each worker’s documentation is subject to stringent verification, including authentication by the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, ensuring compliance at multiple levels, Sivananthan said.
Bloomberg reported that according to a letter dated Oct 24 from Bangladesh’s Interpol branch to its Malaysian counterpart, Aminul and Ruhul were alleged to have played a vital role in a migrant worker recruitment system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” who were also exposed to physical and mental torture.
The contents of the letter were confirmed with Bangladesh’s Interpol branch and a senior Bangladeshi government official.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigated Bestinet in 2022 for alleged corruption and abuse of power involving the selection of 25 Bangladeshi agencies for migrant worker recruitment, with Aminul among those questioned.
In September, The Scoop reported that MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the investigation was classified as “no further action” after the anti-graft agency found no evidence of criminal activity.
Earlier this year, the home ministry said Bestinet’s contract to provide IT systems for the recruitment of foreign workers had been extended after the existing six-year agreement ended on May 31, 2024. However, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail did not provide details about the duration of the contract.
The 2022 Auditor-General’s Report, which was released last year, revealed that there were no signed agreements between the government and Bestinet previously, which meant Putrajaya’s rights were unclear.
—-
CNA 6th Nov 2024: Bangladesh asks Malaysia to arrest and extradite 2 businessmen over alleged migrant worker trafficking and extortion (background article)
Original Source: Channel News Asia – 6th November 2024
Founder of Bestinet Sdn Bhd Mohamed Aminul Islam and his associate are alleged to be involved in a money-laundering syndicate exploiting migrant workers, according to a Bloomberg report, allegations which Bestinet deny.
KUALA LUMPUR: Bangladesh police have called on Malaysia to arrest and extradite the founder of a controversial firm managing Malaysia’s migrant worker intake and his associate as part of a probe into alleged money laundering, extortion and trafficking of migrant workers, according to a report.
Bestinet Sdn Bhd founder Mohamed Aminul Islam and Mr Mohamad Ruhul Amin are alleged to be involved in a system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and subjected them to “physical and mental torture”, read a letter dated Oct 24 which Dhaka’s branch of Interpol had sent to its counterpart in Malaysia.
Bangladesh’s request was first reported on Nov 5 by Bloomberg.
Dhaka’s police inspector Ashiqur Rahman who is part of Bangladesh’s Interpol Branch as well as a senior Bangladeshi government official who was not allowed to speak publicly about the matter have both confirmed to Bloomberg the letter was sent to Malaysia.
The letter, however, does not say whether the men have been charged, according to Bloomberg.
Mr Ashiqur added that Malaysian authorities had already responded to the letter by requesting Bangladesh to submit a formal request for extradition. The documents are currently being prepared, he said.
As of Nov 6, Malaysian police and home affairs and foreign affairs ministries have yet to issue any statements on the matter.
Mr Aminul’s lawyer had however told Bloomberg that they have yet to receive any information regarding the letter from the Bangladeshi police and denied the allegations raised in it.
Meanwhile, a representative for Catharsis International – a Dhaka-based recruitment firm for which Mr Ruhul is the sole proprietor – had replied to Bloomberg via email, refuting any allegations and stating that Mr Ruhul has “always been operating legally, legitimately and ethically”.
Mr Aminul, a former Bangladesh national who has taken up Malaysian citizenship, stepped down as chairman of Bestinet in July 2023 but remains a shareholder of the company, according to news outlet Malaysiakini.
Mr Ruhul meanwhile, acts as his representative in Bangladesh.
According to Mr Ashiqur, both Mr Aminul and Mr Ruhul were last sighted in Kuala Lumpur.
Allegations of a Money Laundering Syndicate
In a Malaysiakini report on Sep 23 that is also available on Bestinet’s official website, the company had denied allegations that it was involved in money laundering activities through its founder Mr Aminul.
“Bestinet denies the existence of any syndicate supposedly controlled by Aminul or anyone else within our jurisdiction,” Bestinet’s current chief executive officer Ismail Mohd Noor told Malaysiakini on Sep 23, adding that Mr Aminul is no longer involved in any part of Bestinet’s operations.
On Sep 18, Bangladesh media outlet Prothom Alo reported that both Mr Aminul and Mr Ruhul were involved as “controllers” of a money laundering syndicate made of 100 agencies that could continue sending migrant workers to enter Malaysia, although recruitment agencies are no longer allowed to send workers to Malaysia since May this year.
Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry had set the entry deadline of May 31 after tens of thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers had become victims of an extensive labour scam in Malaysia whereby they had to pay up to US$5,000 upfront for jobs that did not exist, forcing them to work illegally to pay debts, according to South China Morning Post.
According to local recruitment agency owners in Bangladesh, cited in Prothom Alo, the official registration fee per worker is 2,700 Bangladeshi taka (US$22.59) but workers have been charged a fee of around 107,000 Bangladeshi taka by the syndicate.
Prothom Alo reported that while 7,000 Bangladeshi taka is obtained by a local collection agency, the remaining 100,000 Bangladeshi taka is sent to Bestinet, through “illegal channels” as a “syndicate fee”. And a sum of 50 billion Bangladeshi taka has been laundered this way, as reported by Prothom Alo.
Mr Ismail refuted claims of the exorbitant application fee reported by the Bangladeshi local media.
“We do not charge any syndicate fees. We only collect the amount allowed by the Malaysian government,” Mr Ismail said, as quoted by Malaysiakini.
On Jun 20, Prothom Alo also reported that Mr Ruhul had denied allegations of money laundering.
“Why will everyone give me money, am I so powerful? Aminul Islam is also a businessman. How will the businessmen have control over the labour market?” he was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo.
According to Bloomberg, the Bangladeshi police had also requested for Malaysia to temporarily halt Bestinet’s proprietary IT system, the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS).
The Malaysian Immigration Department has utilised the FWCMS platform to monitor and consolidate visa applications from 15 countries (including Bangladesh) exporting labour to Malaysia since 2013.
Related:
Controversial firm managing Malaysia’s migrant worker intake set to renew contract for 3 years under strict terms
Anti-Graft Crackdown in Bangladesh
CNA reported on Aug 27 that the anti-graft crackdown in Bangladesh on the alleged syndicates operating in the export of labour could have serious ramifications for Malaysia.
The country is host to more than 400,000 documented Bangladesh workers and several thousands more who enter the country illegally, and they make up one of the largest country proportions of foreign workers in the world, which collectively account for roughly 30 per cent of the national workforce that is estimated at 17 million people.
Bangladesh journalists covering the corruption crackdown and executives in Dhaka-based recruitment agencies told CNA in August that the central aim of the crackdown by the ACC is to dismantle a network comprising Bangladesh and Malaysian businesses that has a stranglehold over the recruitment of foreign labour and a major player is Bestinet.
Related:
Commentary: Anwar faces political tricky situation in tackling migrant labour issues
Corruption crackdown in Bangladesh sends tremors through Malaysia’s migrant labour ecosystem
Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake
6th Nov 2024: Malaysiakini – Amid extradition call, Bestinet founder denies money laundering claim
Sourced from: Malaysiakini – 6th November 2024
Controversial firm Bestinet Sdn Bhd and its founder Aminul Islam Abdul Nor have refuted allegations in a Bloomberg report yesterday that they have links to money laundering or human trafficking.
Bloomberg reported that the Bangladesh government sent a letter to the Malaysian authorities seeking the arrest and extradition of Bangladesh-born Malaysian citizen Aminul Islam and a Bangladeshi associate Ruhul Amin, on charges of money laundering, extortion and migrant worker trafficking.
The information was confirmed by the officer serving Interpol in Bangladesh, who also said the Malaysian authorities had replied to ask Bangladesh to send in a formal request, Bloomberg reported yesterday.
Although he did not directly address the extradition issue, Bestinet and Aminul’s lawyer N Sivanathan in a statement today said the article made false insinuation.
“The recent article’s insinuations that Aminul or Bestinet might be involved in illegal practices are completely unfounded.
“Bestinet’s technology is specifically developed to foster transparent and lawful recruitment practices, which are closely monitored and regulated by Malaysian and Bangladeshi government bodies.
“Every aspect of the Foreign Worker Central Management System (FWCMS) platform operates in full compliance with the Malaysian Home Ministry and Immigration Department standards, as well as international guidelines,” he said.
He added that the entire process involves stringent checks, including authentication by the Bangladesh Embassy in Malaysia “ensuring compliance at multiple levels”.
“Aminul has not, at any point, been involved beyond the officially sanctioned scope of Bestinet’s technology services,” the lawyer said.
Migrant workers must go through FWCMS to enter Malaysia, and Bestinet collects a processing fee of RM100 each from workers.
Bestinet retained earnings of RM128 million and made RM85 million in profits out of RM138.92 million in revenue in the financial year ending Dec 31, 2022, its accounts filed with the Companies Commission Malaysia showed.
PAC’s findings
However, the Public Accounts Committee found that the FWCMS has been operating since 2015 without a formal contract with the government.
There was, however, a letter of acceptance for the development of the FWCMS system on Jan 12, 2018.
“This means that the government/Home Ministry has used the FWCMS system for approximately six years without a finalised contract, clearly violating the regulations set by the government,” the PAC said in a statement.
It also found security and governance issues, where the system was vulnerable to hacking and that user accounts which should only be held by government staff were accessed by unauthorised individuals.
This included 24 unauthorised users who had approved 24 employer applications.
Despite the issues, the government in June decided to extend the use of the FWCMS for another three years, with improvements to its governance.
Malaysiakini 5th Nov 2024: Bangladesh wants M’sia to extradite Bestinet founder, associate
Bangladesh police have called on Malaysia to arrest and extradite Bestinet founder Aminul Islam Abdul Nor and his associate Ruhul Amin, allegedly on charges of money laundering, extortion and trafficking of migrant workers.
Aminul was the founding chairperson of Bestinet, the company which runs the controversial and lucrative Foreign Worker Central Management System (FWCMS), which the Malaysian government used to process the entry of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers.
Aminul, a Bangladesh-born naturalised Malaysian, is no longer serving as chairperson but still holds shares in the company.
Ruhul, a Bangladeshi national, runs Catharsis International, a Bangladeshi firm also involved in migrant worker management.
The duo are accused of playing key roles in a system which “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and exposed them to “physical and mental torture”, according to a letter dated Oct 24 sent from Bangladesh’s branch of Interpol to its Malaysian counterpart, which was sighted by Bloomberg.
Bangladesh police officer Ashiqur Rahman, who is part of the country’s Interpol branch, confirmed the letter’s veracity, the news agency reported.
Ashiqur said Malaysian authorities replied to the letter requesting the Bangladesh police to submit a formal extradition request.
Those documents are underway, he added.
The Bangladeshi police’s request is part of a wider investigation into middlepersons and lawmakers involved in sending workers from Bangladesh to Malaysia, Bloombergreported.
In September, Aminul and Ruhul were accused of money laundering in an exposé by Bangladeshi news site Prothom Alo.
At the time, when contacted by Malaysiakini, Bestinet denied the allegations while Ruhul told Prothom Alo he did not do anything illegal.
Aminul did not respond to requests for comment.
The MACC also cleared Bestinet of the allegations.
On Oct 17, Tengku Muda of Pahang Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah resigned from his position as a director of Bestinet, 16 months after assuming the role last June.
Red-flagged by PAC
The company came under the spotlight after it was found operating the lucrative system without a proper agreement with the government.
Migrant workers must go through FWCMS to enter Malaysia, and Bestinet collects a processing fee of RM100 from each worker.
According to its 2022 accounts, tabled to the Companies Commission in June last year, Bestinet retained earnings of RM128 million and made RM85 million in profits out of RM138.92 million in revenue for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2022.
However, in July, the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found that despite making a lot of money from the FWCMS, there was no contract signed between the government and Bestinet.
There was, however, a letter of acceptance for the development of the FWCMS system on Jan 12, 2018.
“This means that the government/Home Ministry used the FWCMS system for approximately six years without a finalised contract, clearly violating government regulations,” the PAC said in a statement.
In June, the cabinet agreed to extend Bestinet’s contract for another three years, but with improvements in governance.
Oct 21st 2024 BBS: Ex-minister Imran Ahmad on 3-day remand in human trafficking case
DHAKA, Oct 21, 2024 (BSS) – A court here today placed former expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister Imran Ahmad on three-day remand in a case lodged over human trafficking and embezzling Taka 24,000 crore by creating manpower recruiting syndicates
See also as background – HERE
Additional Reading:
UCA News 7th Oct 2024: Ending Bangladeshi workers’ Malaysian plight is a test for their leaders
Daily Star 6th Oct 2024: Anwar ibrahim’s visit: A chance to root out graft from labour hiring
SCMP 5th Oct 2024: Malaysia must slash fees, smash cartels to reopen Bangladesh labour market – rights groups
5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly
Reuters Oct 4th 2024: Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit Bangladesh, focus on labour issues
Benar News Oct 4th 2024: PM pledges priority for Bangladesh migrant workers who missed out
Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Diplomacy – Malaysia entry debacle – Anwar Ibrahim to consider issue of Bangladeshi workers
Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Amending MoU on Malaysia-bound Bangladeshi workers can bring a sea change
Daily Star 5th Oct 2024:
Labour Export – President seeks support from Malaysia
New Age Oct 5th 2024: Malaysian PM pledges new entry of 18,000 migrant workers from Bangladesh
Background Reading:
20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia
20th Sept 2024: Scoop – MACC’s Bestinet probe is ‘NFA’, no proof of other money-laundering claims: Azam Baki
20th Sept 2024: Malaysiakini – Bestinet denies money laundering allegations
Daily Star Sept 7th 2024: Dismantling the recruitment syndicate for Malaysian labour market
FMT 7th July 2024: Use independent experts for migrant system audit, says anti-graft group
MALAYSIAKINI 6th July 2024 C4CENTER COMMENT: Massive migrant labour recruiting issues, cops must probe
NST 6th July 2024: Probe foreign labour recruitment misgovernance highlighted by PAC, govt urged
FMT 6th July 2024: Anti-corruption watchdog demands action over govt-Bestinet deal
Malay Mail 6th July 2024: Home minister says will review PAC criticism over migrant worker system launched without contract
Star 5th July 2024: Mutual termination clause in Bestinet contract puts Putrajaya in ‘challenging position’, says Public Accounts Committee report
4th July 2024 BSS News – Expatriates Minister Shofiqur directs returning money to workers who failed to go to Malaysia
4th July 2024 New Age – Bangladeshi Agencies must refund workers unable to go to Malaysia by July 18: ministry
FMT 4th July 2024: Govt urged to heed PAC’s call on migrant worker system
Star 4th July 2024: Human Resources Ministry to conduct internal audit
Star 4th July 2024: PAC uncovers serious flaws
FMT 3rd July 2024: Decide quickly on direction of migrant worker system in Malaysia, Public Accounts Committee tells govt
Vibes 3rd July 2024: Foreign worker management system operating 6 years without a contract
3rd July 2024: The Edge – Public Accounts Committee chastises govt for running foreign worker recruitment system for six years without contract
Malaysiakini 3rd July 2024: BESTINET Probe – Public Accounts Committee chief says ‘Datuk Amin’ not among witnesses
3rd July 2024: The Star – Bestinet told Public Accounts Committee unauthorised users were approved by HR Ministry personnel, report shows
FMT 2nd July 2024: Tenaganita letter to Editor – TIP upgrade no cause for celebration just yet
30th June 2024: Somoy News – Bangladeshi High Court orders disclosure of action on Malaysia migrant worker scam (with 500,000+ victims) in 7 days
Malay Mail 25th June 2024: Home minister sees good things for Malaysian businesses after upgrade to US trafficking ranking
The Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia will strive to reach Tier 1 in Trafficking In Persons report, says Saifuddin
Scoop 25th June 2024: Nation’s improved Tier 2 human trafficking ranking ‘dangerously misleading’, says activist
See also MALAYSIAKINI 25th June 2024: M’sia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 in US human trafficking ranking – activist
Daily Star 26th June 2024: Rights activists criticise Malaysia’s improved ranking
See also Benar News 24th June 2024: Malaysia advances in US State Dept’s world rankings for anti-human trafficking efforts
See also FMT 24th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in US human trafficking report
See also Benarma 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in U.S. TIP Report
See also Focus Malaysia 25th June 2024: Migrant workers’ activist – Malaysia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 upgrade in 2024 US human trafficking report
See also 25th June 2024: Home Ministry welcomes country’s Tier 2 upgrade on Trafficking in Persons 2024 report
See also FMT 25th June 2024: Home ministry open to working with NGOs against human trafficking
See also Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in latest Trafficking in Persons report
SCMP 25th June 2024: Malaysia’s upgrade in US human trafficking index decried as ‘disappointing’ amid migrant worker woes
24th June 2024 Exclusive Analysis: CNA – Extension of Malaysia’s controversial migrant labour ecosystem (involving BESTINET) a blow to PM Anwar’s reform agenda
See New Strait Times 24th June 2024: Malaysian Government Forms Committee to Review Terms of Bestinet’s 3 Year Extension
FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet contract extended, confirms Saifuddin – ‘Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Cabinet decided in principle on the extension ‘several weeks ago’.
Malay Mail 24th June 2024: Home Minister – Bestinet keeps foreign worker system contract for three more years, but with stricter terms
Bernama News 24th June 2024: Committee set up to Peruse Terms and Conditions of BESTINET Contract
FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet to surrender control of workers management system under new deal
FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet should be phased out eventually, says ex-MP
Malaysianist 18th June 2024: Minting money from a migrant services monopoly (click to subscribe for full article)
9th June 2024 Daily Star – Labour Recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia: Syndicate wins, migrants suffer, country loses(excellent summary how bad triumphed, carnage resulted – Bangladesh and Malaysia MUST be downgraded to Tier 3 in the upcoming U.S. TIP report!)
Dhaka Tribune 11th June 2024: Deadline extended for Malaysia migration hurdle complaints
Business Standard 11th June: Unrest within Baira over Malaysian labour market, ruckus in AGM as committee members assaulted
Observer 9th June 2024: Around 2,900 complaints lodged by deprived Malaysia-bound migrants
Malaysianist 6th June 2024: The fat cat ruling the Malaysian migrant services roost(allegations of systemic corruption involving Malaysia’s migrant worker management systems – click to subscribe)
Business Standard 5th June 2024: Govt to take action over failure in sending workers to Malaysia: PM Hasina
4th June 2024 Daily Star (Op Ed): Break the syndicates, not the dreams of Malaysia-bound workers
SCMP 4th June 2024 – In Malaysia, business and human rights must go hand in hand, UN rights chief says in KL press conference against backdrop of systemic migrant worker abuses
New Straits Times 4th June 2024: Human rights-centric practices essential for foreign investment, says UN
4th June 2024 Business Standard: NHRC orders probe into alleged embezzlement of Tk150cr from Malaysia-bound workers
4th June 2024 Business Standard: 47,809 Bangladeshis flew to Malaysia in May – highest since labour market reopened in 2022
Daily Sun 3rd June: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA – Recruiting agencies never made accountable(good historical summary)
Business Standard 4th June 2024:Dhaka-20, Feni-2 MPs deny allegations of involvement in embezzling money from Malaysia-bound workers
SCMP 3rd June 2024: ‘Nothing left for me’ as thousands of Bangladeshi workers lose everything in failed bid to work in Malaysia
Daily Star Editorial 3rd June 2024: Must our migrants pay the price every time?
Prothomalo 3rd June 2024 – Bangladesh Labour market: Hapless workers lose all vying to go to Malaysia
Daily Sun 3rd June 2024: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA: Recruiting agencies never made accountable
FMT 3rd June 2024: 17,000 Bangladeshi workers stranded, Dhaka pleads for time
Daily Star 3rd June 2024: 16,970 Bangladeshis failed to reach Malaysia for mismanagement, more destitution and modern slavery will result
Daily Star 3rd June 2024 – Bangladeshi Migrant Worker Exploitation and Malaysian Labour Market Alleged Criminal Syndicate: The agencies picked by KL to blame, Bangladesh tells UN OHCHR
Daily Star 2nd June 2024: Controversial recruitment system to stay 3 more years
Daily Star 2nd June – Jobs in Malaysia: Mismanagement left over 3k workers with no ticket to KL
Daily Star 1st June 2024: Must history repeat itself with the Malaysian labour market’s alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour
MALAYSIAKINI June 1st 2024: Controversial worker management system BESTINET gets new lease, sources say
1st June 2024 Kalerkantho: Malaysia’s dream ends in deprivation for Bangladeshi migrant workers of criminal syndicate
FMT 31st May 2024: Expect Bangladeshi workers to be stranded and at high risk of modern slavery following Malaysian migration management deadline rush, warns activist
SCMP 31st May 2024: Malaysians shocked by thousands of Bangladeshis crowding at airport to beat deadline for legal work, as UN and activists warn of increased modern slavery risks
CNA 31st May 2024: Over 30,000 workers set to miss deadline to enter Malaysia even as officials clear backlog at KL airport
Prothomalo 31 May 2024 – Bangladesh – Malaysia’s labour market: Repeated syndicates, repeated closure
Prothomalo 31st May 2024: Bangladesh – Thousands of people crowded Dhaka airport without flight tickets to go to Malaysia
31st May 2024 FMT: Govt reaffirms commitment to protect migrant workers’ rights to UN
31st May 2024: The closure of the labor market in Malaysia has shattered the dreams of 31,000 workers
Daily Star 31 May 2024 – Recruitment in Malaysia: Syndicate siphons over $1b out of Bangladesh
Daily Sun 31st May 2024: Biman sends 2,000 migrant workers to Malaysia
Business Standard 31st May 2024: Malaysia-bound workers scammed, stranded at Dhaka airport as deadline set to expire today
Daily Star 30th May 2024: Manpower syndicates beyond Dhaka-KL control
CNA 30th May 2024: ‘Congestion’ at KL airport as employers scramble to bring in thousands of migrant workers before deadline
MALAYSIAKINI 30th May 2023: ‘Migrants influx at KLIA due to employers chasing deadline’
30th May 2024 Benar News: Malaysia’s labor market closed – Migrant workers flock to airports in all countries
29th May Daily Star: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia – Hiring begins with bribery (UN independent experts say Bangladeshi workers pay up to 8 times for migration alone due to corruption of Malaysia ministries, Bangladesh mission and syndicates)
29th May Daily Star: Airfare to Malaysia surges fivefold
FMT 28th May 2024: Malaysia yet to respond to UN concerns on alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant victims for forced labour in the country(with my full statement included)
30th May Star: Cyclone smashes Bangladeshi workers’ hopes, extension requested
Channel News Asia 25th May 2024: Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers through controversial BESTINET process faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake
20th May 2024 FMT: Duped Bangladeshi workers won’t impact Malaysia’s US Human trafficking report ranking, says HR Minister Sim
Malay Mail 17th May 2024: Pengerang employer to face Labour Court in Malaysia after failing for months to pay Bangladeshi workers’ wages over RM1m (government statements and my comments included – months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)
16th May 2024: Firm that left over 700 Bangladeshi workers to dry in Pengerang facing possible prosecution (months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)
14th May 2024: FMT – Activists warn of US trafficking report downgrade for Malaysia amid UN criticism
9th May 2024: Study: 96% of Bangladeshi workers going to Malaysia fall into recruitment debt– The study also said that 82% had two or more loans and 73% of workers spent at least 50% to 100% of their monthly salary to repay recruitment debts
4th May 2024: UN agencies concerned over Bangladeshi workers stranded in Malaysia – Joint Statement of ILO, IOM and UNODC on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia
24th April 2024: Address plight of duped Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia in response to UN warning, govt told (more on the ongoing saga of an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour in Malaysia)
FMT 19th April 2024: UN experts sound alarm over plight of duped Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia
For more on Andy Hall’s complaint to the OHCHR see 30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council
See Daily Star 23rd Apr 2024: Bangladesh Plight of Migrant Workers – Bangladesh, Malaysia working group meeting likely in May
See Daily Star Editorial 23rd Apr 2024: When even legal migrants suffer – Workers migrating to Malaysia legally deserve better protection
Business Standard 23rd April 2024: Expat Ministry reviews UN complaints on Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia
Prothomalo 23rd April 2024: Bangladesh – Ministry reviewing allegations over Malaysia labour market
BenarNews Malay Language: Pakar PBB gesa Malaysia tangani layanan buruk diterima pekerja Bangladesh (UN expert urges Malaysia to handle bad treatment received by Bangladeshi workers)
Daily Star 19th Apr 2024: UN experts express dismay over situation of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia
FMT 19th Apr 2024: PSM, news portal set aside order to stop debate on migrant workers’ plight
Daily Star Editorial 17th April 2024: Save our migrants in Malaysia (more on the crisis caused by an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia)
9th April 2024 The Star – Bangladeshi victims of criminal syndicate trafficking worked for forced labour in Malaysia: ‘Cops after workers, not rogue employers’
7th April 2024: SCMP – As Malaysia’s door closes on low-paid migrant workers, companies scramble for staff (and a systemically corrupt migration management and recruitment policy, devoid of the rule of law and leading to impunity and gross exploitation, is revealed)
6th April 2024 Daily Star: A hostel of nightmares for Bangladeshi migrants allegedly trafficked by criminal syndicate for forced labour in Malaysia (and Daily Star Op Ed)
Daily Star Editorial 6th Apr 2024: What will happen to migrants abandoned in Malaysia?
26th March 2024: The Star – Freeze on foreign workers hiring quota in Malaysia stays for now, says HR Minister (with estimated 200,000+ surplus foreign workforce victims facing destitution and abuse)
Daily Star 25th Mar: Malaysia employer framed Bangladeshi workers
Daily Star 24th Mar 2024: Jailed in Malaysia – 3 Bangladesh workers released
Editorial Prothomalo 24th Mar 2024: Malaysian labour market – Take action against the fraud syndicate
FMT 23rd March 2024: PSM calls on Sim to look into arrest of Bangladeshi workers
MALAYSIAKINI 23 Mar 2024: Stranded foreign workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) nabbed after labour complaints against employer
23rd March 2024 The Star: Half a million vulnerable and irregular foreign workers disappear from Malaysia’s migrant worker regularization programme as deadline looms in one week
23 Mar 2024 The Star: Verification rate lags as RTK 2.0 deadline approaches
22nd March 2024 Malay Mail: Home minister – Over RM9m in fines collected so far through migrant repatriation programme
22nd March 2024 Protomalo: Malaysian labour market set to be closed again due to syndication
20th March 2024: 93 duped/detained Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia have jobs now, says immigration DG
20th Mar 2024 Business Standard: Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia: Coalition of migration orgs demand action against recruiting agency syndicate
19th March 2024: FMT – Plantation firms wary of ‘forced labour’ concerns in hiring 200,000 surplus foreign workers/criminal syndicate victims in Malaysia, says minister – indeed he’s right, who wants to take on destitute foreign workers often with US$4-7000 in debt?
17th March 2024: FMT – Malaysia’s treatment of migrant workers utterly shameful
New Age 16th Mar 2024: Bangladeshi government must mend issues to keep Malaysia job market open
15th March 2024 SCMP: Malaysians deride minister’s idea to rebrand palm oil workers as ‘specialised harvesters’
14th March 2024: The Star – Opinion: When work in Malaysia is a con – the criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshis for forced labour in Malaysia
FMT 13th March 2024: Bangladeshi migrants file police reports after falling victim to job scam/criminal syndicate trafficking workers from Bangladesh for forced labour in Malaysia
12th March 2024: SCMP – Malaysia to slash migrant workforce amid intolerance, job scam crisis involving Bangladeshi labourers
Daily Star Editorial 10th March 2024: Migrating to a life of unemployment
Daily Star 10th Mar 2024: Distressed in Malaysia – Thousands of Bangladeshi migrants jobless, unpaid or underpaid
9th March 2024: Malay Mail – Activists warn rushed 31st March visa deadline in Malaysia could force firms to source foreign workers unethically (includes my commentary on the abrupt policy change)
9th Mar 2024 The Star: No extension of May 31 foreign worker deadline
NST 9th Mar 2024: Keep recruitment agencies in a list rather than shutting them down, govt told
See also NST 9th Mar 2024: Sourcing migrant workers takes time, ‘not like buying cattle’, employer groups tell govt
NST 8th Mar 2024: Eliminate middlemen from migrant worker recruitment process, govt told
Star 8th Mar 2024: May 31 deadline for foreign workers recruitment under recalibration programme remains, says Saifuddin
Malay Mail 8th Mar 2024: Saifuddin Nasution: No more agents for Bangladeshi worker recruitment
6th Mar 2024: Malaysian government halts foreign worker entry into the country from 31st May 2024 (final calling visa/VDN approval issuance deadline 31st March 2024) as migrant worker management crisis worsens and victims of gross exploitation, unemployment and destitution rise significantly
6th March 2024: Business Times –Sudden change in foreign worker policy by Malaysian government leaves industry in limbo
6th Mar 2024 Edge: Foreign worker intake deadline changes will leave manufacturers in the lurch, says FMM
6th Mar 2024 FMT: Industry players shocked by foreign worker policy change, says FMM
Mar 5 2024: NCCIM urges govt to review unused foreign worker quota deadline
FMT 3rd Mar 2024: Ensure ‘crooks’ do not gain from repatriation programme, says activist
Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: A chance for illegals to go home
Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: Sarawak immigration extends RTK2.0 until June
Mar 1st 2024 FMT: 600,000 foreign workers urged to take easy exit home
Mar 1st 2024 The Star: Use repatriation programme to return home, 600,000 illegals told
Feb 28th 2024 The Star: New programme lets migrants off the hook without being prosecuted
Feb 25th 2024 The Star: Businesses want foreign worker hiring freeze lifted
Jan 31st 2024 NST: Govt to implement Migrant Repatriation Programme starting March
Jan 31st 2024 The Edge: Cabinet agrees to extend freeze on hiring of foreign workers, says home minister
31st Jan 2024 FMT: Migrant repatriation programme set for March 1
31st Jan 2024 The Star: Migration Repatriation Programme to commence on March 1, says Home Ministry
FMT 6th Jan 2024: 171 duped migrant workers deserve compensation, govt told (includes my full statement)
5th Jan 2024: New Strait Times – MCA: Don’t just fine employers, hold ministry accountable as well for unemployed foreign workers
FMT 30th Dec 2023: Migrants being duped into Malaysia because of govt’s failure to curb criminal trafficking syndicates and organised crime network, says activist Andy Hall
30th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – Recruitment agencies accused of deception as Bangladeshi victims speak out on exploitation and fear
29th Dec 2023: Malay Mail – Set up probe on exploitation of migrant workers and new ministry to manage their affairs, Suhakam tells Putrajaya
28th Dec 2023: FMT – Malaysia has entered ‘slave labour’ territory, says ex-MP – Charles Santiago calls for specific set-ups to manage migrant workers
27th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – MTUC demand govt, MACC probe into corrupt recruitment practices of foreign workers
26th Dec 2023: FMT – High recruitment fees make greedy agents bring in workers, says group
25th Dec 2023: FMT – Probe recruitment agents, MACC told after arrest of Bangladeshis
22nd Nov 2023: MALAYSIAKINI – Full probe of migrant worker syndicate, Malaysian HR Minister Sivakumar says
9th Nov 2023: Malaysia – The State of the Nation: Flaws of foreign worker system laid bare in declassified report
30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council
20th Oct 2023 Malaysiakini: Long-awaited foreign worker management report declassified in Malaysia (my comments added)
19th Oct 2023: Malaysia facing huge excess of 1/4 million migrant laborers
21st Sep 2023: Malaysian government has 15 source countries for foreign workers – Comments by Andy Hall
20th Sep 2023: Rate of abused Bangladeshi workers’ entry into Malaysia worrying, says migrant rights activist Andy Hall
Aljazeera News TV 10th July 2023 – Migrants in Malaysia: Hundreds left stranded in recruitment scam
