Malaysia Pledges Crackdown on Migrant Worker Abuse as Bangladesh PM Seeks Recruitment Reforms
Putrajya – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged stronger protections for Bangladeshi migrant workers on Monday, promising action against labor exploitation as he hosted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during the latter’s first overseas visit since taking office earlier this year.
The commitment comes amid growing scrutiny of labor practices affecting Bangladeshis, who comprise Malaysia’s largest foreign workforce and play a critical role in sectors ranging from construction and manufacturing to plantations and services.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Putrajaya, Anwar said cooperation on labor issues was essential to both countries and stressed that worker exploitation for corporate or personal gain would not be tolerated.
Around 800,000 Bangladeshi nationals are employed in Malaysia, accounting for roughly one-third of the country’s migrant workforce. Many have faced challenges including unpaid wages, excessive recruitment costs and fraudulent employment schemes that have left workers burdened with debt and, in some cases, without promised jobs.
Anwar said Malaysia was committed to improving conditions for foreign workers and ensuring that labor migration systems operate fairly and responsibly.
Rahman called for recruitment procedures to become more transparent, affordable and accountable, urging authorities to reduce the role of intermediaries that often increase costs for prospective workers.
The issue has drawn international attention. In late 2025, United Nations human rights experts warned of continued exploitation, deception and debt bondage affecting Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia. The experts urged both governments to strengthen oversight, protect workers from further victimization and hold fraudulent recruitment agencies accountable.
The labor discussions formed a central component of Rahman’s visit, which also reflects Bangladesh’s efforts to deepen economic engagement with key Asian partners following political changes in the country over the past two years.
Rahman, who became prime minister after elections in February, is scheduled to travel to China later on Monday for talks focused on trade, investment and infrastructure cooperation, according to Bangladeshi officials.
His decision to make Malaysia and China the destinations of his first official overseas trip highlights evolving regional diplomatic priorities for Dhaka.
Relations between Bangladesh and India have remained sensitive since the 2024 uprising that removed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power. Hasina, a longtime partner of New Delhi, fled to India following her ouster, and Bangladeshi authorities have repeatedly requested her extradition.
Although ties between Dhaka and New Delhi have improved since Rahman assumed office, unresolved political issues continue to shape bilateral relations.
Against that backdrop, labor mobility and economic cooperation featured prominently during Monday’s discussions, with both governments signaling a desire to strengthen safeguards for migrant workers while maintaining one of Southeast Asia’s most important labor migration corridors.
