Malaysiakini 4th Nov 2025: ‘10 conditions to supply migrant workers will revive syndicate’ in Malaysia, say international groups
Sourced from: https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/759896
Summary
- The Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira) and the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (Nafea) slam the Foreign Ministry’s 10 new mandatory criteria for migrant worker agencies as ‘impossible’ and ‘illogical.’
- The associations claim the conditions – such as needing experience managing 3,000 workers in five years and operating in three countries – are a ploy to control the market and potentially revive a syndicate.
- A local activist and PKR member, V Sivam, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim protesting the policy for its lack of transparency and potential to negatively affect legitimate local agencies.
At least two international associations have slammed the Putrajaya’s new conditions for recruiting migrant workers, describing them as unrealistic, unfair, and potentially reviving a syndicate.
This comes after the government, through the Foreign Ministry, set 10 mandatory criteria for foreign agencies to supply workers to Malaysia.
The ministry sent a letter dated Oct 27, sighted by Malaysiakini, to embassies of source countries and requested their respective governments to submit a list of agencies capable of meeting all the conditions no later than Nov 15.
Among the conditions deemed controversial is that agencies wishing to send migrant workers to Malaysia must have experience managing at least 3,000 workers in five years and placing workers in at least three countries.
The letter sighted by Malaysiakini
Other conditions set are having positive testimonials from at least five international employers, owning a large, permanent office ( about 10,000 square feet) that has been operating for at least three years, and having their own training centre.
‘Discriminatory’
Speaking to Malaysiakini, the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira) and the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (Nafea) said the 10 criteria set by the Foreign Ministry were “impossible” for almost all agencies, even experienced ones, to meet.
Both associations also claimed these conditions are merely a ploy to control the market and eliminate new agencies, in addition to several individuals in Malaysia being the “masterminds” behind an attempt to revive the syndicate system.
“The policy sounds good on paper, but 99 percent of agencies in Bangladesh and other countries cannot fulfil it. A large part of these criteria is irrelevant, unethical, and malicious.
“The 10 criteria are ‘illogical and discriminatory’, as the migrant worker market to Malaysia was closed for a long time – including from 2009 to 2012 – and then controlled by a syndicate between 2017 and 2024.
“How can an agency send workers to three different countries if the market is closed? This is crazy,” said former Baira joint secretary-general-1 Mohammed Fakhrul Islam.
Meanwhile, Nafea also voiced similar concerns over the move, saying Malaysia’s move to limit only a few agencies to operate is “unfair and contradicts international norms”.
“This decision denies the right of Nepalese agencies to operate freely and will increase the financial burden on Nepalese workers.
“A system like this will undermine the overseas employment policy of the Nepalese government and open the door to corruption and worker exploitation.
“Overseas employment involves the mutual interests of employers and workers. Limiting licensed agencies is an attack on the right to fair competition,” said Nafea secretary-general Mahesh Kumar Barnet.
The association urged the Nepalese government not to recognise any syndicate and demanded that Malaysia withdraw the policy.
‘Ask Human Resources Ministry’
When contacted, the Foreign Ministry referred Malaysiakini’s queries to the Human Resources Ministry.
“The Foreign Ministry takes note of the queries regarding the diplomatic note sent to the embassies of several source countries concerning the rationalisation process of migrant worker recruitment agencies.
“This step is part of the government’s initiative to strengthen ethical and transparent practices in migrant worker recruitment.
“In this regard, Human Resources Ministry is the lead ministry responsible for formulating and setting the policy on migrant worker recruitment.
“The (Foreign Ministry’s) role is solely to convey the policy set by the government through the proper diplomatic channels. Any detailed questions about the policy should be directed straight to Human Resources Ministry,” a source from the ministry said.
Bangladesh stops probe
On July 31, Malaysiakini reported that Bangladesh agreed to halt its investigationinto the alleged syndicate exploiting Bangladeshi citizens seeking work in Malaysia.
This was after a source claimed the decision was reached at a meeting in July between representatives of the Bangladeshi government and Human Resources Ministry officials in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysiakini was also told the meeting was held following a letter from the Malaysian government to Bangladesh requesting that the investigation into the allegations, deemed unfounded, be stopped.
The letter dated April 23 was said to be sent from a senior Human Resources Ministry official to a senior official at the Bangladeshi Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry.
In the letter, the Human Resources Ministry asked Bangladesh to address the syndicate issue exploiting Bangladeshi citizens seeking work in Malaysia from 2022 to 2024 to ensure a smooth and reliable worker recruitment process.
The letter also stated that most allegations of human trafficking and money laundering were unsubstantiated and harmed Malaysia’s reputation.
To date, the Human Resources Ministry has refused to comment on the existence of the letter.
Protest letter to Anwar
Meanwhile, a local activist has sent a letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to protest the government’s new conditions for migrant worker recruitment.
When contacted, V Sivam, who is also a PKR member, confirmed sending the letter to Anwar.
“The process of selecting licensed agencies in this new policy is not transparent and may be biased, which could open the door to domination by a few parties, as well as the risk of a syndicate hidden amidst the approved agencies.
“This rationale is expected to affect many legitimate, long-operating local agencies with good records, as only a handful of agencies may be selected to continue operating.
“This is considered unfair to local operators who have complied with existing regulations,” he said.
Sivam also stressed that the policy is not consistent with the spirit of openness and good governance emphasised in the Madani government’s policy, as it was made without considering the views of the industry and stakeholders and could damage Malaysia’s image in the eyes of the world.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
“I appeal to the prime minister to review and cancel the implementation of the policy in the memo, to ensure equal opportunities for all worker recruitment agencies and to maintain the principles of fairness, transparency and integrity in the country’s migrant labour affairs,” he said.
In September last year, it was reported that a Bangladeshi agency owner filed a police report against 103 individuals (agency owners) on allegations of being involved in a syndicate exploiting Bangladeshi citizens seeking work in Malaysia.
The police report referred to allegations of misappropriation and human trafficking linked to the process of sending workers from that country to Malaysia, through agencies chosen via the memorandum of understanding between the two countries signed on Dec 19, 2021.
More than 480,000 Bangladeshi workers entered Malaysia between 2022-2024 through the 103 agencies licensed by both governments.
Several local and Bangladeshi NGOs claimed that the decision by both countries to allow only 103 agencies to bring in migrant workers resulted in many workers being trapped by false promises after paying up to RM25,000 in recruitment fees, often through debt.
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My Opinion Piece 12th August 2025: As Anwar meets Yunus, Corrupted Bangladesh Malaysia Recruitment Corridor Needs Reform
Andy Hall, independent migrant worker rights specialist (andy@andyjhall.org)
Rahman, Bangladesh migration researcher
Bangladeshi migrants are heroes, contributing to their nation’s economy through remittances and to countries like Malaysia through hard work and skills. The Bangladesh to Malaysia migration corridor remains the most economically significant and controversial one for both countries.
Yet Bangladeshi workers face gross exploitation, including debt bondage and modern slavery, migrating to and working in Malaysia.
UN experts in 2024 raised concerns about more than 500,000 of these workers promised meaningful employment but instead facing abuse at the hands of recruitment intermediaries, bogus employers, corrupt officials and failed migration management systems of both countries concerned.
SCMP 12th Aug 2025: Malaysia-Bangladesh labour migration talks resume amid job scam fears
Malaysia placed a freeze on hiring last year after thousands of Bangladeshi workers were left stranded and exploited by recruitment scams
Original Source: SCMP by Joseph Sipalanand Hadi Azmi – 12th August 2025
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This flawed recruitment system between Bangladesh and Malaysia has involved only a few recruitment agencies, raising assumptions of corruption and impunity that undermine fair competition.
The migration management system involving FWCMS and Bestinet utilized for migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia is accused of non-transparent behaviour and essentially trading in human misery.
Apart from violations of competition and anti-corruption laws, hard to prove without evidence of informal money transfers across borders, suffering of the workers facing extortionate costs and abuse is undeniable.
Workers’ migration costs generally range from 450,000 to 550,000 BDT against a legal limit of 78, 990 BDT. For impoverished villagers, this results in acute debt bondage.
Property is mortgaged or sold, children’s education is sacrificed, health care lost. Lives destroyed.
Recruitment intermediaries, bogus employers and corrupt officials are involved in a criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers with false job promises for forced labour and modern slavery in Malaysia, using a migration management system that is shrouded in controversy and abuse.
Once these workers arrive in Malaysia, they often become unemployed and fall into absolute destitution. Many employers are bogus and promised jobs non-existent. Workers become trapped in a living hell.
Debt bondage, document confiscation, restricted freedom of movement, poor housing and limited access to healthcare and food. Many overstay visas and run away to change employers risking arrest, deportation and extortion by corrupt officials once they escape oppressors and protectors. Violence, persecution and powerlessness.
Yet all the time, criminals continue to profit from this inhumane and rotten recruitment scheme.
Due to widespread and repeated malpractices, migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia has been halted four times in 10 years, most recently last year. Around 20,000 workers were left stranded in Dhaka in 2024 when the migration corridor most recently descended into chaos. Only recently they were belatedly offered jobs in a Malaysian construction sector known to abuse.
This labour migration corridor has always been under intense media scrutiny. We pushed the UN complaint to internationalize this issue further in 2024.
There have also been investigations involving Interpol and the Bangladeshi and Malaysian Anti-Corruption commission against masterminds allegedly behind this scam. But still no signs of accountability or justice.
Disappointingly, as administrations change in both countries, the persistence of this flawed recruitment process outlives the leaders. This raises concern if those behind it are even more powerful than those meant to regulate it.
Malaysia’s migration management system is often held up to criticism. Systematically corrupt and allowing impunity, the rule of law has long been undermined. Concern is now even rising of abuses in the Nepal Malaysia migration coridoor too.
Bangladesh’s major political parties also fail to address its broken recruitment and migration management systems that breed exploitation with little prioritization of migrant rights in their reform agendas and government budgets.
Neither BNP’s 31-point proposal nor Jamaat-e-Islami’s 41-point plan demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing the needs of migrants but rather lack of political will to safeguard their rights.
Stubbornly, recruitment costs paid by Bangladeshis remain some of the highest in the world.
Local media reports on two high level meetings between Bangladesh and Malaysia held in Dhaka and KL in May to discuss reopening this migration corridor suggest tragic lessons learnt from the abuse of millions of Bangladeshis in Malaysia in the past decade may still not have been fully acknowledged and acted on.
The media has reported the interim Bangladeshi administration has responded to Malaysia’s recent request to withdraw accusations and stop investigations into the Malaysia recruitment corridor by stating Malaysia was not involved in misconduct or ill-treatment.
This misguided approach to reopening an abusive migration corridor tramples on the voices of millions of exploited workers.
Halting investigations into an illicit recruitment system between Malaysia and Bangladesh, or claiming no one is culpable when there is just so much evidence of the harm done is cruelly denying the abuse, preventing accountability and undermining the rule of law.
This approach only reinforces the Bangladeshi and Malaysian states’ decades old failure to protect migrant rights and reform their broken recruitment systems. It prevents the pursuit of justice and is an affront to human dignity.
The existing MoU on migration between the two nations allows for workers’ exploitation, funneling illicit profits to masterminds and undermining the rule of law. Key parts of the text should be changed.
Instead of getting to the root cause of the problems, which lies with corruption and human cruelty, both governments appear instead to be disconnected from human suffering. They perhaps overlook exploitation or conceal abuses to save face yet ignore joint national, economic and human security interests.
Both governments will fail millions of victims of this persistently abusive migration corridor if they don’t reform it and surrender again, in the interests of political expediency, to trafficking of Bangladeshis for forced labour.
UN organizations should again raise these concerns to both governments, as they did in early 2024. Diplomats and global supply chain actors whose operations are deeply entwined with this migration corridor should be speaking out too.
If today’s meeting between Anwar Ibrahim and Muhammad Yunus in Putrajaya, Malaysia results in abusive migration management systems winning out again between Bangladesh and Malaysia, casting basic human rights aside, it puts millions more Bangladeshis at risk of modern slavery through shameful indictment of a rotten system that refuses to change and which we all have failed to expose and regulate.
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Kathmandu Post 8th June 2025: Nepal Malaysia migration corridor – Attempts to impose a total employment syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia have raised concerns (My Op Ed)
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.
Attempts to impose a total employment syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia have raised concerns.
Original Source: Kathamandu Post – Published: June 8, 2025 – Andy Hall & Dhurba Mijar
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.
Related Background Articles
Business Standard 15th August 2025:Bangladesh, Malaysia have agreed to establish transparent recruitment system for workers – Bangladesh Chief Advisor Yunus
Bernama 14th August 2025: Bangladesh, Malaysia push for transparent hiring of workers (Bangla version here)
Daily Star 14th Aug 2025: Chief Advisor’s Malaysia Tour Boosts Dhaka KL Ties But Migrant Worker Issues Sidelines
Daily Star 12th August 2025: Human trafficking charges – CID clears ex-minister, secy after KL’s request
Daily Star 12th Aug 2025: Migration rights groups alarmed over possible clearing of Malaysia recruitment syndicate suspects
August 12th 2025 Bangla Tribune: Bangladesh Civil Society for Migrants (BCSM) demands open and transparent sending of workers to Malaysia
Malaysiakini 11th August 2025: Alleged members of Bangladeshi workers’ syndicate may walk: Report
Business Standard 10th August 2025: As Anwar and Yunus meet in Malaysia today, recruitment syndicate actors cleared of misconduct, news report suggests – Malaysia labour ‘syndicate’: Lotus Kamal’s family, 3 ex-AL MPs cleared of exploitation charges
Business Standard 1st August 2025: Malaysia to hire workers who missed last year’s deadline in construction, traditional sectors: Bangladesh mission in KL
Malaysiakini 31 July 2025 – ‘Source: Bangladesh to stop probing migrant workers’ exploitation syndicate’
Kathmandu Post 8th June 2025: Nepal Malaysia migration corridor – Attempts to impose a total employment syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia have raised concerns (My Op Ed)
Malaysiakini 7th June 2025: Duped, deported, and in debt: Nepal’s migrant worker trap
TBS 23rd May 2025: Malaysia to reopen labour market to Bangaldeshi migrants, syndicate stays but may expand agency list
20th May 2025: BAIRA faction alleged attack during press briefing against Malaysian labour market syndicate
Daily Star 19th May 2025: ‘Job scam’ – 33 Bangladeshis sue Malaysian firm, govt for Tk 4.8cr
16th May 2025 Channel News Asia (CNA): Malaysia to resume recruitment of stranded Bangladeshi workers, vows to protect them from abuse, fraud
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
Bloomberg EXCLUSIVE 15th May 2025: Malaysia Asks Bangladesh to Withdraw Migrant Labor Probes
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
SCMP 15th May 2025: Malaysia, Bangladesh urged to act on labour trafficking before ending migrant worker freeze
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
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
ProthomAlo 18th April 2025: Bangladesh: Awami League supporters are dropping out, but the ‘Malaysia Circle’ is trying to form again
FMT 7th Apr 2025: Activist warns of syndicate threat to migrant labour reforms in Malaysia
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
5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case
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
CNA 6th Nov 2024: Bangladesh asks Malaysia to arrest and extradite 2 businessmen over alleged migrant worker trafficking and extortion
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
Malaysiakini 5th Nov 2024: Bangladesh wants M’sia to extradite Bestinet founder, associate
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
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
