First Malaysia-bound flights under zero-cost recruitment initiative expected in December

Dhaka, Bangladesh || Friday, 6 November 2026 || 21 Kartik 1433

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First Malaysia-bound flights under zero-cost recruitment initiative expected in December

Published : Friday, 6 November, 2026 at 2:32 PM, Count : 65

First Malaysia-bound flights under zero-cost recruitment initiative expected in December

The government hopes to send the first two or three flights carrying Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia under its zero-cost recruitment initiative in December, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said on Thursday.

He made the announcement at a meeting with recruiting agency owners, where he said the government wanted to ensure equal opportunities for all licensed agencies in the Malaysian labour market.

The meeting, organised by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, was held at Probashi Kalyan Bhaban in Dhaka's Eskaton with recruiting agencies enlisted in Malaysia's Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS).

The minister welcomed the apparent consensus among agency owners to keep migration costs between Tk 2.5 lakh and Tk 3 lakh, saying the move would benefit ordinary workers.

“I am very happy that you all have agreed that the maximum should be Tk 2.5 lakh to Tk 3 lakh,” he said.

However, State Minister Md Nurul Haque Nur said the government would hold further discussions with recruiting agencies before finalising the migration cost.

Ariful said recruitment under other approved job demands would continue alongside the zero-cost initiative.

He also said the government was considering introducing an online selection system through a transparent lottery to provide people from disadvantaged areas with opportunities to work abroad.

The initiative would be announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman once preparations were completed, he added.

Emphasising equal opportunities for recruiting agencies, the minister said he wanted to end the concentration of recruitment business among a handful of operators.

“I do not understand 25 or 338. I want every licensed recruiting agency in Bangladesh to have the opportunity to do business,” he said.

At the meeting, recruiting agency owner Abul Bashar called for independent access to the FWCMS system, along with permission for agencies to obtain attestation of job demand letters, issue medical slips and secure Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) emigration clearance under their individual licences.

Mohammad Fazlul Islam Yasin, speaking on behalf of 62 recruiting agencies, urged the government to expedite medical approvals and set reasonable processing fees for the Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL).

Fatima, owner of Maruf International, said recruiting agencies were struggling to cover office rents and staff salaries because of limited recruitment opportunities.

Other agency representatives called on the government to finalise migration costs, curb excessive charges imposed by intermediaries and ensure equal opportunities for all licensed recruiting agencies.

Clarify the zero-cost and fee figuresMake the headline reflect the fee dispute

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