Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced today that the country is set to welcome 18,000 Bangladeshi workers in the first phase of a major labor initiative. The announcement came during a joint press conference with Professor Muhammad Yunus, where the Prime Minister stressed Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring suitable working conditions for foreign workers.
“We’ve had thorough discussions about the entire process. We need workers, and whether they come from Bangladesh or any other country, they must not be treated as modern slaves,” Prime Minister Anwar stated. He reiterated his government’s transparency and dedication to fair labor practices.
Professor Yunus expressed gratitude on behalf of the Bangladeshi people, thanking the Malaysian government for this significant decision. Currently, around 800,000 Bangladeshi workers are employed in Malaysia, with nearly 450,000 arriving between August 2022 and May 2023.
The two leaders met ahead of a bilateral meeting at Hotel Intercontinental and discussed key topics such as trade, investment, education, human resource development, and the Rohingya crisis. Both leaders emphasized strengthening their countries’ ties, with Anwar Ibrahim highlighting the importance of resolving issues faced by Malaysian and Bangladeshi companies operating in each other’s territories.
This visit marks the first official trip of a Malaysian Prime Minister to Bangladesh in nearly a decade and comes just months after the formation of Bangladesh’s interim government. The visit is expected to further solidify the relationship between the two nations, setting the stage for future cooperation across various sectors.