Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has condemned what it described as a “deep conspiracy” to hand Malaysia’s labour market to a syndicate and fascist elements. In a media statement issued on Sunday, Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar alleged that a section of the government was undermining national interests and harming Bangladeshi remittance earners by limiting overseas worker recruitment arrangements.

Porwar said sources indicated that the governments of Bangladesh and Malaysia had selected only 25 recruiting agencies to send workers, creating a syndicate-based system. He warned that similar restrictions in the past had led to excessive charges for workers and losses for thousands of people. He said workers may now face costs of Tk 600,000 to Tk 700,000 to travel to Malaysia, placing a heavy burden on workers and their families.

The Jamaat leader said Bangladesh has more than 2,000 legal recruiting agencies and called for open, transparent and equal access for BAIRA members and experienced agencies. He urged the government to prevent fraud, exploitation and excessive costs, ensure worker safety and take diplomatic measures to protect citizens’ interests in overseas labour markets.