Malaysia opens labour recruitment to all qualified Bangladeshi agencies
Malaysia has decided to open its labour recruitment process to all eligible Bangladeshi recruiting agencies under a new and uniform selection system, a move expected to significantly expand employment opportunities for Bangladeshi migrant workers.
The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, saying the new system will ensure greater transparency, equal access, and fairness in the manpower recruitment process.
Until now, only a select group of Bangladeshi agencies had been authorised to send workers to Malaysia, a system that had drawn criticism from Dhaka for being restrictive and non-transparent. The new approach comes after months of negotiations and repeated requests from the Bangladesh government to make the process equitable.
According to the ministry, Malaysia has shared its new “Recruiting Agent Selection Criteria,” which standardises the process across all labour-sending countries including India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Myanmar. The decision was formalised following commitments made during the 3rd Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting held in Dhaka from May 21–22 this year.
Under the new criteria, Bangladeshi private recruiting agencies must meet several key conditions to qualify. These include at least five years of successful operation after receiving a licence, a record of deploying a minimum of 3,000 workers in the past five years, and experience sending workers to at least three different destination countries.
Agencies must also hold valid licences, a certificate of good conduct, and maintain a clean record free from allegations of trafficking, forced labour, or unethical practices. To ensure operational capability, each agency must operate from a permanent office space of no less than 10,000 square feet and run its own training and assessment centre equipped with accommodation and technical training facilities.
Applicants are also required to submit five letters of commendation from international employers and proof of compliance with recruitment laws and regulations in destination countries, including Malaysia.
Dhaka will now formally urge Malaysian authorities to enlist all Bangladeshi agencies that fulfil these criteria without exception. The ministry has invited all validly licensed agencies to apply with necessary documentation by November 7, 2025.
Officials say the reform is expected to open new avenues for Bangladesh’s overseas employment sector, which contributes billions of dollars in remittances annually. Industry insiders believe the move could help curb irregular recruitment practices and enhance worker protection, marking a significant step forward in bilateral labour cooperation between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur.
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