The Bangladeshi government has set a ceiling of Tk154,000 on the total cost for workers migrating to Malaysia, vowing strict action against any individual or agency charging more than the official rate. The announcement came on Thursday from the Expatriates' Welfare Minister, who also confirmed that the state-run recruiting agency BOESL is preparing to send 10,000 workers to Malaysia with no migration fees levied on the workers.

Fixed Cost and Official Warning

The minister stated that Tk154,000 is the maximum permissible cost for a worker seeking employment in Malaysia. "Legal action will be taken against anyone charging more than the government-fixed rate," he said. The move is intended to curb exploitative practices by intermediaries and reduce the financial burden on prospective migrant workers.

BOESL's Zero-Cost Recruitment Drive

In a parallel development, the Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) has initiated a recruitment drive to send 10,000 workers to Malaysia. The process is being conducted under a 'zero-cost' model, meaning workers will not have to pay any recruitment fees. This initiative is expected to eliminate the role of middlemen and ensure a more transparent and accountable migration process.

Fraud Alert on 'Probashi Card'

On the same day, the government issued a separate advisory urging expatriates to beware of fraudsters regarding the proposed 'Probashi Card'. Authorities clarified that no official fee or procedure has been finalized for the card's issuance. The statement warned that any individual, organisation, or intermediary demanding payment to facilitate the card is committing fraud. Expatriates have been urged to report such attempts to the relevant authorities immediately.

Context and Next Steps

Malaysia remains a key destination for Bangladeshi workers, and recent bilateral agreements have aimed to streamline the recruitment process. The new cost ceiling is part of these efforts to protect workers from financial exploitation. The ministry has stated that it will increase monitoring of recruiting agencies and establish accessible channels for workers to file complaints regarding any violations of the fixed cost structure.