Migrant Welfare Network flags disorder, lack of transparency in recruitment of Bangladeshi workers for Top Glove

The Migrant Welfare Network (MWN) has raised concerns over alleged irregularities and a lack of transparency in the recruitment process for Malaysia-based company Top Glove, saying thousands of Bangladeshi jobseekers faced difficulties attending interviews in Dhaka.

In a statement issued yesterday (12 November), the migrant rights organisation said many applicants were denied entry to the interview venue on 11 November because their names were missing from the interview lists, despite a serial-number system being in place.

According to MWN, around 4,000 to 5,000 jobseekers, including new applicants and former workers, gathered at the venue, causing disorder outside despite the presence of security personnel.

Many had travelled to Dhaka from districts including Barisal, Khulna, Rajshahi, Pabna and Gazipur, spending Tk2,000-Tk3,500 on transportation and other expenses. Several, however, could not attend the interviews, the statement said.

MWN also questioned the selection of around 351 workers yesterday, seeking clarification on the recruitment quota, eligibility requirements and selection criteria.

It urged the Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) to clarify whether recruitment agencies facing government action over alleged irregularities in Malaysia-bound recruitment were involved in sourcing or selecting candidates.

The organisation said the situation escalated further yesterday, when around 10,000 to 15,000 jobseekers gathered at the venue, with reports of damage to the main gate and physical altercations among applicants.

Warning that such incidents could undermine foreign employers’ confidence in Bangladeshi workers, MWN called on BOESL, Top Glove and the relevant authorities to disclose the recruitment system, selection criteria, roles of intermediaries and total recruitment quota.

It also recommended advance registration, preliminary screening and timely communication with applicants to prevent unnecessary travel expenses and disorder.

MWN praised the recruitment arrangements followed by DHL, saying its transparent and organised approach could serve as a positive example for overseas recruitment.

“Overseas employment should create opportunity and hope, not financial loss, uncertainty and hardship,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, at a press conference on Friday, BOESL Managing Director Rashedul Haque said the organisation would not interfere in the selection process, and candidates chosen by the employer would be considered final.

He said the Malaysian recruiting company would bear all government-prescribed migration-related expenses for selected workers, adding that BOESL would charge neither the employer nor the workers any migration cost or service fee.

“Zero means zero,” he said.

Haque warned of legal action, subject to evidence, against brokers, middlemen or unauthorised individuals collecting money during recruitment, as well as candidates involved in unethical financial transactions.

He urged prospective workers not to make any financial transactions in connection with the recruitment process.