TI worried syndicate influencing secretive Malaysia-Bangladesh deal

The local chapters of Transparency International (TI) in Malaysia and Bangladesh have expressed concern at the secretive nature of a deal between the two countries for labour recruitment and the possible involvement of syndicates.

They urged both governments to take all preventive measures against corruption in the recruitment process including potential syndicate control.

"The scope of manipulation created by the secrecy around the contents of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) will not only subvert the mandatory provisions of open and fair competitive process of selection of agencies for the purpose but also limit the scope of accountability in the process and substantially increase the cost of migration for the Bangladeshi expatriate workers and their Malaysian employers," TI Malaysia president Muhammad Mohan and TI Bangladesh executive director Iftekhar Zaman said in the joint statement.

The local chapters of the Berlin-based anti-graft coalition said the lack of disclosure is creating an opportunity for potential syndicate capture of the recruitment process by a handful of agencies, thanks to the "collusion with powerful quarters in both countries".

They said this in reference to reports that only 25 agencies will be involved in the recruitment by "some evil design by some powerful quarters" even though there are more than 1,500 legally authorised agencies who are interested.

Only the 25 agencies will be granted permits by the Malaysian government to recruit workers from Bangladesh with 10 sub-agents from each agency.

Disclose MOU in full details 

TI reminded the governments that it was the same issue of syndicates exploiting the system and corruption that led the previous recruitment deal to be banned in 2018.

"We urge upon our respective government to disclose the MOU in full details for public information and urge concrete actions at the respective national level as well as collaboratively to ensure that the recruitment process is not held hostage once again to such evil designs of powerful syndicates”, they said.

They said the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia involved the national interest of both countries including direct economic benefit.

Therefore, they said both governments should attach the highest priority to prevent secrecy and corrupt practices in a mutually beneficial sector. - Mkini