Despite receiving clearance letters from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), a total of 16,970 Bangladeshi migrant workers failed to depart for Malaysia on time.
To investigate the reasons for this failure, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment has formed a six-member committee, said State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury, while briefing journalists on Sunday (2 June).
The State Minister said as of 31 May, the Expatriates Ministry had approved 526,676 applicants for migration to Malaysia. BMET had issued clearances to 493,642 individuals, and 476,672 people had successfully traveled to Malaysia. Consequently, approximately 16,970 workers failed to fly.
"We have formed a six-member committee and asked them to submit a report within seven days," said Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury. "Based on their recommendations, we will take legal action against those found responsible for the crisis."
He added that the workers who failed to go to Malaysia can file complaints with the investigation committee. If necessary, arrangements will be made to refund their money.
Denying any negligence within the ministry, the State Minister said, "There was no negligence in the ministry. We are still trying. We wrote to the Malaysian government a week ago to extend the deadline for another week. We also spoke with the Malaysian High Commissioner, who will visit the Ministry on 5 June to discuss the matter further."
Expressing optimism about the reopening of the Malaysian labour market, the State Minister emphasised that his ministry is actively working with the Malaysian government toward this goal.
In March, Malaysian authorities said workers from Bangladesh and 13 other countries would not be allowed to enter the Southeast Asian country after 31 May.
