DHAKA, July 25, 2024 (BSS)-State Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury today said Bangladesh and Malaysia joint working group meeting will be held next month about the overseas jobs in Kuala Lumpur.

“We can disclose about reopening of Malaysian job market through the joint working group meeting next month,” he told the reporters after a courtesy meeting with Malaysian High Commissioner in Dhaka Haznah Md Hashim at his ministry office.

The state minister said that his ministry sent a request letter to Malaysian government in favour of the overseas workers, who could not fly to Kuala Lumpur for jobs in time, adding, “BAIRA (recruiting agency association) was informed us about refunded of Taka to 70 percent workers who could not go to Malaysia in time.

We have also asked the BAIRA leaders to sign an agreement after refunding money to workers, which they paid earlier. Then workers will sign the agreement.”

He said that BAIRA will send the list to the ministry after refunding money to the workers, adding, “We will take legal measures against the recruiting agencies after failing refunding of money to the workers.”

Shafiqur Rahman said efforts have been underway to search new overseas job markets following the Prime Minister’s directives.

Replying to a question about punitive action against Bangladeshi workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) demonstration issue, he said the workers should be aware of the laws of the country where they live.

“They staged protest in Dubai, defying the law of the UAE and ruined the image of Bangladesh abroad. For this they have been punished for different periods. We will not interfere with convicted expatriates. It is their state affairs,” he added.

The state minister also said that majority of expatriates contributed to the development of Bangladesh. “A vested quarter is trying to destroy labour markets abroad. I think Jamaat-BNP war criminals in 1971 are involved in these anti-state activities.”