Baira members submit memorandum to keep Malaysia labour market free from syndicates

Members of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira) have submitted a memorandum to the prime minister, calling for the Malaysian labour market to remain free from syndicates and open to all licensed recruiting agencies.

The memorandum, submitted yesterday (April 5) to the prime minister and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, reflects growing concerns among recruiting agency members over alleged irregularities in overseas manpower recruitment.

In the statement, Baira members demanded strict action against those involved in alleged corruption, irregularities, and money laundering in the Malaysian labour market during the tenure of the previous Awami League government.

Among others, former Baira vice-president Riaz-ul-Islam and joint-secretary Fakhrul Islam signed the letter.

According to the memorandum, a group of influential individuals, including former ministers, members of parliament, and political figures, allegedly created a syndicate that controlled the recruitment process, leading to widespread corruption and financial misconduct.

The allegation specifically names former Baira secretary general Ruhul Amin Swapan and Malaysian national Dato Sri Amin Noor, owner of the Foreign Workers Centralized Management System (FWCMS), as key figures behind the syndicate.

Several prominent individuals, including former officials such as Masud Uddin Chowdhury, Lotus Kamal, Nizam Uddin Hazari, and Benazir Ahmed, were also accused of being linked to the alleged syndicate.

Baira members claimed that the syndicate forcibly collected an additional fee of approximately Tk1.52 lakh from each worker, pushing the total migration cost to between Tk4 lakh and Tk5 lakh per worker.

They alleged that nearly 800,000 workers were sent to Malaysia in two phases, from whom an estimated Tk120 billion was collected, with a significant portion reportedly transferred abroad.

The memorandum further expressed concern that fugitive Ruhul Amin Swapan and his associates are allegedly attempting to re-establish syndicate control over the Malaysian labour market from abroad.

Baira members urged the government to ensure transparency, accountability, and equal access for all licensed recruiting agencies, and to take decisive legal action against those responsible for past irregularities.