With a flight carrying 60 people leaving from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday, the Bangladeshi government began a long-awaited initiative to send workers who were stranded due to procedural delays to Malaysia.

According to a handout, this is the first stage of a program designed to alleviate the situation of more than 7,800 workers who fulfilled all requirements by May 31, 2024, but were unable to travel.

Key Developments:

Inaugural Departure:

The Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), a state-owned organization leading the effort, sent a group of 60 workers from Dhaka to Malaysia.

The send-off ceremony at the Probashi Lounge was presided over by Dr. Asif Nazrul, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser, who emphasized the government's dedication to expatriate welfare.

Government Collaboration:

The initiative follows a bilateral agreement with Malaysia, finalized during the third Joint Working Group meeting in May 2025.

BOESL was tasked with sending 7,873 workers in the construction and tourism sectors.

Dr. Nazrul credited Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for their roles in resolving the impasse.

Background and Progress:

The effort traces back to Prof. Yunus’s direct appeal to Malaysian PM Anwar during his October 2024 visit to Bangladesh. Subsequent negotiations led to a demand for 500 workers from Malaysian agency CLAB, with 255 already securing visas.

A BOESL-CLAB agreement on August 7, 2025, formalized the recruitment process.

Wider Expatriate Welfare Efforts:

Dr. Nazrul highlighted parallel initiatives, including the repatriation and rehabilitation of 188 Bangladeshi prisoners from the UAE linked to the July Uprising.

“This day is a testament to relentless diplomacy and compassion. After years of uncertainty, these workers can finally rebuild their futures,” said Dr. Nazrul, addressing the gathering.

Programs under the interim government focus on skill development, legal aid, and financial support for migrant workers.

Future Steps:

BOESL Director General Md Saiful Islam confirmed preparations to dispatch the remaining workers in phases, prioritizing visa-ready candidates.

Attendees at the event included senior officials from BMET, Probashi Kallyan Bank, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, underscoring interagency coordination.

BOESL aims to expedite departures for the remaining workers, with CLAB expected to issue further demands in early 2026.

Context:

The initiative addresses systemic challenges in overseas employment processes, aiming to restore confidence in Bangladesh’s labor export mechanisms. With remittances critical to the economy, the government has prioritized resolving such bottlenecks to sustain migration-driven growth.