The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has revoked the licenses of 49 recruiting agencies previously involved in sending workers to Malaysia. The decision was announced through a government notification issued on Sunday, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Rashida Akter. The ministry cited violations of the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Act, 2013, and the Foreign Employment and Migrants (Amendment) Act, 2023, as well as criminal charges filed under sections of the Penal Code.

According to the ministry, the affected agencies were accused in court of embezzling money by forming syndicates to send workers to Malaysia. Investigators filed charge sheets against these 49 agencies following cases lodged against 100 agencies in total. The ministry stated that the license cancellations were made under Section 13 of the 2013 Act in the public interest.

The decision marks a significant enforcement action aimed at curbing irregularities in overseas employment recruitment and ensuring compliance with migration laws.