Editorial
A laudable model for labour export
We congratulate Bangladesh and Malaysian governments
We praise governments of both countries for taking monumental steps that will reopen the Malaysian labour market for our workers in the immediate future. The draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) is set to be approved by the Malaysian cabinet within the next 45 days. This in itself is a huge accomplishment for the country as Bangladeshi workers continue to be squeezed out of labour markets in the Middle East.
The fact that a comprehensive deal has been agreed upon whereby the cost of migration will reduce significantly from the current estimated Tk.200,000 to about Tk.40,000 is a major step in the right direction. The removal of private recruiting agencies from the recruiting process and that the employer will bear cost of ticket fare will facilitate this huge drop in cost. Job security will be ensured as term of service will be fixed at a minimum of five years, which will help workers repay cost of ticket to employer in instalments a process acceptable to both parties. Another boon of the MoU is that any renewal of contracts upon successful completion of service will also be for a further 5 years.
The whole process of Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia programme will be dealt with at State-to-State level involving the Malaysian human resources ministry and expatriates welfare ministry of Bangladesh. A number of key changes will come into force to handle the hundreds of thousands of workers who, it is hoped, will be getting employment in Malaysia. The cornerstone of the programme will revolve around the development of a computerised database that will store relevant information of potential workers from which prospective employers in Malaysia may pick out candidates. Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower and Training will oversee its smooth operation and assist would-be job seekers to register themselves onto the system and provide essential services such as orientation on Malaysian laws, culture and language.
Now that the first major hurdle has been passed and an understanding reached at ministerial level, we strongly demand that the government sees through commitments made at the press conference on September 13. The Malaysian deal could potentially become a role model to be followed by Bangladesh in reaching agreements with other new potential overseas labour markets that exist in Oman, Qatar, Libya and Iraq.
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