MM Rahmatullah: Amar Bangladesh Party-AB Party has called for an end to the alleged syndicate system in recruiting Bangladeshi workers for Malaysia, demanding that all valid and licensed recruiting agencies be allowed to operate through a transparent and open competitive process. The party also demanded that workers not be charged any amount beyond the migration costs fixed by the government and that the overall cost of going to Malaysia be reduced. The demands were made at a discussion titled “Manpower Export to Malaysia: Syndicate, Prospects and the Way Forward” held at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Monday. The speakers alleged that although the composition of the syndicate may have changed, the underlying structure remains largely unchanged. AB Party Chairman Majibur Rahman Manju chaired the discussion, moderated by the party’s Shadow Government Affairs Coordinator Barrister Abbas Islam Khan Noman. Speaking at the event, Manju questioned why recruiting agencies should be granted licences after extensive government scrutiny if they are subsequently denied opportunities to send workers abroad. “After such scrutiny, if licensed agencies cannot work, what is the purpose of issuing licences?” he asked. He called for all licensed agencies to be given equal opportunities under a transparent and open competitive system and stressed that no money should be collected from workers beyond the government-fixed migration costs. Referring to the long-running controversy over syndicates in sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia, Manju said the country must move away from a syndicate-dependent system and establish a competitive environment that protects workers’ interests. He also urged prospective migrant workers to be cautious and verify all relevant information before deciding to go abroad. Many recruiting agencies have already started conducting interviews, he said, adding that Malaysia remains an extremely important labour market for Bangladesh. BNP Vice Chairman Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon said expatriate Bangladeshis played an important role in the August 5 movement, including by participating in the movement and withholding remittances as part of the anti-fascist struggle. He said Bangladeshi workers earn foreign currency for the country through hard work overseas, while wealthy families often take money out of the country when their children go abroad for education. He urged recruiting agencies to give the highest priority to workers’ interests and safety, and expressed determination to build a syndicate-free Bangladesh in line with the aspirations of August 5. Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) Chairman Professor Dr Abu Ahmed said restricting manpower exports to a specific group of 25 companies should be avoided. Opening the process to wider competition, he said, would increase competition among agencies and reduce the cost of migration for workers. He also called for measures to ensure that workers can go abroad through an easy, transparent and affordable process. AB Party Secretary General Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad said migrant workers endure severe hardship for relatively low incomes, yet in many cases they do not receive even minimum humane treatment from the relevant authorities. “Migrant workers must not be treated as commodities,” he said, stressing that simply calling them “remittance warriors” is not enough. Their rights, security and dignity must also be ensured. Fuad also demanded an explanation from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding reports of a meeting between the Prime Minister and Datu Amin. He said no attempt to manipulate the interests of expatriate workers would be accepted. He further demanded the immediate cancellation of the 25-company syndicate and called for a low-cost, transparent and accountable system for sending workers abroad. Barrister Dr Najibur Rahman Momen, MP from Pabna-1 constituency said, many Bangladeshi workers sell land to finance their migration and then endure inhumane working conditions to send money home. He alleged that an old syndicate had once again become active in sending workers to Malaysia and questioned how 17 companies with no relevant experience could be included in the process. “If Nepal and the Philippines can stand firmly for their national interests, why can’t Bangladesh?” he asked. Former BAIRA Joint Secretary General Fakhrul Islam said Malaysia is a vital labour market for Bangladesh, but it was disappointing that what he described as a syndicate established during the Awami League period was still in place. He alleged that the interim government had failed to make visible progress in reopening and managing the Malaysian labour market and that, instead of dismantling the syndicate, the current policy could create opportunities for it to become stronger. Former BAIRA Joint Secretary General Nurul Islam expressed hope that the Prime Minister, as the son of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, would intervene directly in the issue and dismantle the previous syndicate in the Malaysian labour market. Journalist Rajib Ahmed spoke about the Malaysian labour market, alleged syndicate activities in the media and the role of journalists in protecting the interests of migrant workers. In his welcome speech, AB Party Vice Chairman Professor Dr Abdul Wahab Minar said people migrate from one country to another in search of livelihoods. Although Malaysia has created an opportunity to recruit workers from Bangladesh, there are concerns that the old syndicate could become active again. He stressed the need for a transparent, accountable and humane migration system that prioritises the interests of workers.  A number of AB Party leaders and activists attended the discussion.