Malaysia Jumps to Bangladesh's 4th Largest Remittance Source After Historic Three-Year Migration Drive
Under the 2021 MoU, 476,672 Bangladeshi workers migrated to Malaysia (2022–2024), lifting Malaysia to 4th in remittance sources. Workers earned a minimum of 1,500 MYR. Following an entry deadline, a universal recruitment freeze took effect in June 2024, capping the highly productive phase.
- 476,672 Bangladeshi workers placed in formal employment in Malaysia between 2022 and 2024
- Malaysia climbed from 8th to 4th among Bangladesh's largest remittance sources
- August 2024 remittances from Malaysia reached $251.9 million USD
- 101 agencies authorized under the MoU framework, with 800+ additional agencies participating as associates
- Minimum base salary of 1,500 Malaysian Ringgit guaranteed for all deployed workers
- 358 workers migrated at zero cost under the Employer Pays Model
A Corridor Built on Bilateral Agreement
How the Migration System Operated
Auto Allocation System
Quotas were distributed directly from the Malaysian government's automated system to listed agencies, ensuring a structured and accountable flow of worker placements throughout the corridor.
Employer Pays Model
Under Catharsis International's supervision, 358 workers migrated at zero personal cost — all expenses borne by employers, with recruiting fees received through official banking channels from Malaysia.
BOESL's Low-Cost Role
The state-owned Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited facilitated nearly 2,000 workers at little or no cost, providing an accessible pathway alongside the private agency framework.
800+ Agencies in Practice
Although 101 agencies were formally listed, over 800 additional recruiting agencies participated in the 2022–24 migration phase as employer-approved associates and agents.
Remittance Impact: From 8th to 4th in Three Years
Worker Earnings and Protections
Key Milestones of the Bangladesh-Malaysia Labor Corridor
Bangladesh and Malaysia sign the MoU, establishing the legal and procedural basis for reopening the bilateral labor corridor.
Joint Working Group meeting finalizes agency selection methodology. Malaysia begins identifying authorized recruiters from Bangladesh's pool of 1,520 licensed agencies.
Labor corridor officially reopens. Worker migration begins through 101 listed agencies under the Auto Allocation System.
Visa processing responsibility shifts from MEFC to individual hiring companies per Malaysian government directive. MEFC continues providing technical assistance from Dhaka.
Malaysia's Immigration Department issues circular requiring all quota-approved workers to enter by May 31, 2024, following the country's 2.5 million foreign worker ceiling being reached.
Universal recruitment freeze takes effect across all 15 source countries. 476,672 Bangladeshi workers have been successfully placed under the corridor.
Malaysian Home Minister Dato' Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail publicly confirms the recruitment freeze applies equally to all source countries. August 2024 remittances from Malaysia reach $251.9 million USD.
Corridor by the Numbers
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total workers placed (2022–2024) | 476,672 |
| Authorized recruiting agencies | 101 (plus 800+ associates) |
| Malaysia's remittance rank for Bangladesh | 4th (up from 8th) |
| August 2024 remittances from Malaysia | $251.9 million USD |
| Minimum monthly base salary for workers | 1,500 MYR (~50,000 BDT incl. overtime) |
| Workers migrated under Employer Pays Model | 358 (zero cost to workers) |
| Workers facilitated by BOESL at low/no cost | ~2,000 |
| MoU signing date | December 19, 2021 |
| Corridor operational period | August 2022 – May 2024 |
Source: NewsAxis
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