Staff Correspondent:

Members of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) on Monday urged the government to expedite the reopening of the Malaysian labour market in the interest of Bangladeshi workers.

Speaking at a human chain and memorandum submission event held in front of the Expatriates’ Welfare Bhaban in the capital, the BAIRA members emphasized the importance of the Malaysian market which stands as the country’s second largest after Saudi Arabia.

They alleged that while the interim government is making strides to reopen the labour market through initiatives such as joint working group meetings certain vested quarters are actively working against national interests.

“These groups are carrying out a destructive agenda on behalf of rival countries to sabotage the labour market,” they said.

The speakers demanded that Bangladeshi workers be able to migrate to Malaysia under low cost and easy conditions.

They warned that while 13 other source countries have complied with Malaysian government conditions and maintained access to its labour market, Bangladesh risks losing out.

There is a demand for 1.2 million Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia. If this opportunity is lost, the country could lose nearly USD 5 billion in remittance, they said.

The BAIRA members reiterated their commitment to cooperate with any government-approved process to send workers abroad.

They said they area united and committed to providing maximum support.

Speakers at the event included Farid Ahmed Mojumder (Al Supt Overseas), Mohammad Mohiuddin (Purabhi International), Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman (Earth Smart Bangladesh), AMS Sagar (EMS International), Mohammad Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan (Tasnim Overseas), Mohammad Atikur Rahman Biswas (Al Aqaba Associates), Sagar Mahmud (Al Gifari), Mohammad Moniruzzaman (Skyland Recruiting), Advocate Mohammad Sajjam Hossain (Arman Air International), Kafil Uddin Mojumder (Freedom Overseas), Hawlader Forqan Uddin (SF Global), and Dubai-based businessman Mohammad Alauddin.

Several hundred recruiting agency representatives participated in the programme carrying banners, festoons and placards.