Bangladeshi recruitment agencies protest syndicate monopolising labour to M'sia

A coalition of recruitment agencies in Bangladesh staged a large-scale demonstration demanding the exposure of a syndicate allegedly monopolising the labour market to Malaysia and calling for the prosecution of its key figures.

Identifying themselves as the “Front Oikya Anti-Sindiket Baira”, the protesters gathered near the National Press Club in Dhaka yesterday to voice opposition to corruption and harassment in the labour export sector.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, spokesperson Altaf Khan alleged that the syndicate used political influence to extort legitimate recruitment licence holders.

“Even though there are over 2,000 worker recruitment licences, a syndicate was formed under the protection of the previous government.

“They forced us to pay a ‘syndicate fee’ of BDT152,000 to BDT160,000 (approximately RM5,500 to RM5,800) per worker for the offer letters we brought from Bangladesh,” he said.

Altaf revealed that he personally had to pay bribes totalling BDT15.4 million (around RM558,000) to send 102 workers to Malaysia.

“I had filed a petition with the High Court during the previous government’s era, but due to pressure and threats, I was forced to withdraw the matter at that time,” he added.

Protesters’ demand

Earlier, the protesters called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure the worker recruitment process is transparent and free from interference by syndicates, following the practices of 14 other labour-sending countries.

“We demand that the government immediately arrest all those involved and ensure harsh punishments so that in the future, no one dares to exploit these poor people again,” said Altaf.

In 2022, the Malaysian government signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh, appointing 25 main recruitment agencies and 250 sub-agents.

However, allegations of a monopoly in recruiting Bangladeshi workers have persisted.

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These concerns were raised by the Bangladesh International Recruitment Agencies Association (Baira), which expressed dissatisfaction with the current allocations.

Baira also demanded that its nearly 1,600 members be given equal opportunities to send workers to Malaysia.

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