MOHAMMAD JAMIL KHAN and RASHIDUL HASAN

The ongoing war involving the US, Israel, and Iran has slowed Bangladesh’s labour market in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, prompting the government to prioritise reopening Malaysia and explore alternative destinations to sustain overseas employment and remittance flows.

Malaysia, the second-largest destination for Bangladeshi workers after the Middle East, has remained closed to them since June 1, 2024.

Now, with growing uncertainty in Gulf markets, the government is treating reopening the Malaysian labour market as a priority.

As part of the effort, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and the prime minister’s adviser Mahadi Amin are expected to visit Malaysia on April 8 for discussions, according to ministry sources.

Confirming the development, Ariful told The Daily Star, “We have received an invitation from the Malaysian labour ministry. They want to hold discussions with us, and we are preparing to hold discussions at the government level.

“We are hopeful, but the market is sensitive and has had past complications. We aim to guarantee that individuals do not face any form of harassment. This is particularly important at a time when some of our other labour markets have slowed.”

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