DHAKA: A group of members of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) has appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure a transparent and competitive recruitment system and equal opportunities for all licensed recruiting agencies in sending workers to Malaysia.

In an application submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office, they said Malaysia remains one of Bangladesh’s most important overseas employment destinations, making it essential to establish a transparent, open and sustainable framework for managing the labour market to further expand foreign employment opportunities.

According to the applicants, the dominance or preferential treatment of a limited number of agencies in the recruitment process reduces competition and may have broader implications for the country’s overseas employment sector and overall economy.

The application noted that remittances sent by migrant workers have long played a vital role in Bangladesh’s economy. However, operating the market through a small number of recruiting agencies deprives many legitimate agencies of opportunities and risks undermining a fair competitive environment.

The BAIRA members placed several demands, including the inclusion of a larger number of licensed recruiting agencies in the Malaysia-bound worker recruitment process, avoidance of any syndicate or preferential arrangements, establishment of a transparent and accountable recruitment structure, and ensuring fair competition and equal access for all eligible agencies.

They also said that replacing individual or group-based privileges with a merit- and capability-based participation system for licensed agencies would make Bangladesh’s overseas employment sector more dynamic and contribute further to the national economy.

The applicants sought the government’s effective intervention and expressed hope that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would take necessary steps to address the issue.