Prime Minister urges Malaysia to open labour market, hire more Bangladeshi workers

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged Malaysia to expedite the reopening of its labor market for Bangladeshi workers and increase recruitment from Bangladesh.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya on Monday, Rahman said he raised issues related to labor migration, including the legalization of undocumented Bangladeshi workers and the possible repatriation of detained nationals.

“We have agreed that the recruitment process must be transparent, fair, and affordable so that the role of middlemen can be reduced and workers’ costs minimized,” the Prime Minister said.

The press conference followed a bilateral meeting between the two leaders, where they discussed cooperation in a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, ICT, energy, infrastructure, manpower, halal industries, agro-processing, education, skills development, defense, the digital economy, and semiconductors.

Rahman said both sides welcomed the growth in bilateral trade and agreed to advance discussions on a Bangladesh–Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cultural cooperation was signed, while documents on counterterrorism research and capacity-building cooperation, as well as investment collaboration, were exchanged.

The Prime Minister also thanked Malaysia for its continued support regarding the Rohingya crisis and emphasized the need for the safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of displaced Rohingyas.

On regional cooperation, Rahman expressed Bangladesh’s interest in becoming an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner and joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), seeking Malaysia’s support for both initiatives.

Inviting Malaysian businesses to invest in Bangladesh, he said the government is working to strengthen political stability, create jobs, and foster an investment-friendly environment. He noted that Bangladesh offers significant opportunities for Malaysian investors.

At the conclusion of the event, Prime Minister Rahman extended an invitation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his spouse to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.