Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged that a Malaysia-bound labour recruitment arrangement limited to 25 agencies would effectively hand the labour market to a syndicate. In a statement sent to media on Sunday, Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar condemned the arrangement and said it could undermine national interests and harm Bangladeshi migrant workers who contribute remittances.

Parwar said the Malaysian labour market is highly important for Bangladeshis and that the government has a moral responsibility to protect workers’ interests, ensure safe working conditions, stop harassment and provide financial security. He alleged that an unscrupulous group within the government had brought several overseas recruitment agencies under a syndicate, creating concern and frustration among general members of BAIRA.

He said the two governments selected only 25 agencies to send workers, warning that past syndicate-based arrangements involving limited agencies led to excessive charges and harmed thousands of workers. Jamaat fears migration costs could reach Tk600,000 to Tk700,000 per worker. Parwar called for transparent and equal access for qualified agencies, action against fraud and exploitation, and measures to ensure lower-cost, safe overseas employment.