Habib, a Bangladeshi worker, faced delays at Dhaka airport that caused his flight to arrive more than seven hours behind schedule at KLIA. Despite the setback, he expressed gratitude for making it to Malaysia before the deadline, noting that the immigration process was fast. Having previously worked in Malaysia for seven years, he returned to Bangladesh in 2020 due to the end of his contract and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Arriving with a group of 15 countrymen, Habib acted as an interpreter as they waited for a bus to Penang, where he would work in the textile industry for RM1,500 a month. He asked about refunds for friends who had obtained visas but were unable to fly over, feeling fortunate about his own circumstances.
Recruitment agencies in Bangladesh urged the Malaysian government to extend the deadline for Bangladeshi nationals who had approval to work in Malaysia but were unable to arrive by May 31. The Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies reported that over 30,000 workers had obtained approval but faced challenges meeting the deadline. The association highlighted potential financial losses for workers and requested an extension of one or two months to facilitate their travel arrangements. It was noted that each worker pays significant fees to various players in the recruitment process, underscoring the financial implications of missing the deadline.
Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Haznah Md Hashim, explained that the May 31 deadline was set for national and border security reasons. She acknowledged the presence of illegal migrants in Malaysia from various source countries, emphasizing the need to address the issue after the deadline has passed. Despite efforts to ensure ethical and transparent recruitment of foreign workers, Haznah mentioned challenges beyond the control of both the Malaysian and Bangladeshi governments. She highlighted ongoing efforts to manage recruitment syndicates and uphold standards in the foreign worker recruitment process, with a focus on addressing issues internally post-deadline.
The recruitment process for foreign workers in Malaysia involves various complexities and challenges, with concerns about financial losses for workers who miss deadlines and face delays in their travel plans. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has added further hurdles to the process, causing disruptions and uncertainties for migrant workers seeking opportunities in Malaysia. Despite efforts to regulate and streamline the recruitment process, issues such as delays, fees, and logistical obstacles continue to affect workers and recruitment agencies in Bangladesh and Malaysia. The concerns raised by workers and industry stakeholders underscore the need for coordinated efforts to address systemic challenges and ensure fair and efficient recruitment practices for foreign workers. As the deadline passes, the focus shifts to managing the aftermath and addressing the issues that arise in the recruitment and employment of foreign workers in Malaysia.
