Manpower recruiting agencies in Bangladesh at a press conference Wednesday cleared their position against the syndicate recruiting Malaysia-bound workers, saying they could launder Tk 25 thousand crore from the country.
The press conference also demanded elimination of money launders, human traffickers, anti-development and anti-independence syndicates from the export of manpower to Malaysia.
The held at the National Press Club, organized by the Sommilito Somonnoy Front of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA).
SSF President Dr. Mohammad Faruque, Senior Vice President Reaz-ul-Islam, and Secretary-General Mostafa Mahmud presented the information in written statements and responded to questions from the reporters. Also present at the press conference were Golam Mostafa Babul, Siraj Miah, Redwan Khan Borhan, and many others.
They demanded keeping the market open for all legitimate recruiting agencies by scarping the so-called syndicate of 25 agencies involved in manpower exports to Malaysia.
They highlighted the losses incurred by the nation as a result of exporting workers through syndicates in the years 2016, 2017, and 2018. At that time, the export of workers was estimated at 15 lac but only 2.74 lac people could go through them while 12.25 lac people lost their guaranteed job opportunities.
The immigration fee was fixed at Tk 1,60,000 but the syndicate realized Tk 3,50,000 to Tk 4,00,000 from an individual, they said. They realized an additional Tk 200,000 to 250,000 from poor people and this way they siphoned off Tk 5,000 crore during the period, while 1,200 recruiting agencies in the country were totally deprived of manpower exports.
They also said that after a three-year shutdown, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on December 19, 2021, to reopen the market. The whole nation hoped that the export of workers would start as soon as the agreement is signed. But it hasn’t taken place.
In 2016, the number of members of the syndicate was 10 but now it has increased to 25, they said, adding that due to the conspiracy of the so-called 25-member syndicate, the genuine recruiting agents are still unable to export workers to Malaysia.
The members of the syndicate want to control the entire export process by illegally transacting hundreds of crores of taka. At present 1600 to 1800 legal agencies are exporting workers from Bangladesh to different countries of the world but only 25 agencies have been allowed to export workers which was not justifiable.
Currently, Malaysia needs 15 to 20 lac foreign workers in the next 3 years but this year the syndicate could realize an additional Tk 20 to 30 thousand crores from the innocent workers opting for Malaysia.
