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Published : 22 Jun 2026, 12:32 PM
The first day of Tarique Rahman’s first trip abroad as Bangladesh’s prime minister has focused on the issues faced by expatriate workers, a key driver of the country’s economy.
The BNP, which swept to power in the February polls, had vowed to expand job opportunities for Bangladesh’s labour force.
Accordingly, the topic of manpower was a key part of Tarique and the Bangladeshi delegation’s engagement with their Malaysian counterparts on Monday.
Malaysia has been a key destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers.
However, Kuala Lumpur has restricted the hiring of Bangladeshi workers since 2024 amid reports of exploitation, debt bondage and forced labour.
On Monday, Tarique urged Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to reopen the market while ensuring the rights of expatriate workers.
He said, “I have requested the honorable Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to consider hiring more Bangladeshi workers and to open up the labour market quickly.”
“We agreed that the labour recruitment process should be transparent, fair and cost-effective, so that the role of middlemen is reduced and the costs of workers are reduced.”
At a joint press conference following the meeting, Anwar said: “Yes, we need the workers. Yes, also, and more importantly, we have to protect the welfare of the workers and their families. This continued use of workers being exploited, illtreated and purely for personal accompanying gains cannot be tolerated.”
Both countries would work together to curb exploitation, ensure transparency, and the welfare of workers, he said.
In 2023, hundreds of Bangladeshi expatriate workers were left stranded in Malaysia when they arrived to find that jobs promised to them by recruitment agencies did not exist.
Many of them were forced to seek work illegally.
"I also raised issues relating to regularisation of illegal workers and repatriation of the detained Bangladeshis if possible," Tarique told the media after meeting with the Malaysian delegation.
Reopening the Malaysian market would directly address the BNP’s election promises of providing jobs while also shoring up remittance inflows, which have been crucial to steadying the country’s economy amid the prevailing global headwinds.
Tarique had urged Bangladesh’s expatriate workers to unite and contribute to the country on Sunday.
"Let us all think about what we can do for the country so that we can all prosper together. Alongside our own demands and expectations, we should now think about what we can do for the country," he said.
Trade Cooperation Promised, But No Free Trade Agreement Yet
Bangladesh and Malaysia have long discussed a free trade agreement to explore further economic collaboration.
While no agreement materialised during Tarique’s trip, both sides reiterated their promise to further develop economic cooperation.
“Now we have to enhance bilateral relations and we discussed his foreign minister, home affairs and trade and relevant ministries to take up this challenge to cement relations through fast track FTA, through enhanced and comprehensive partnership in all fields, not limited only to trade and investment, although that remains to be pivotal, but also to extend beyond that in terms of collaboration in all fields of research, new science, new technology of semiconductor, and AI,” said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar.
Trade opens up great potential for stronger relations between the two countries and their economies, he said.
“Trade has been lukewarm in a way. We have Bangladesh is a big country, enormous potential, and with Malaysia, we should enhance our bilateral trade investments. And as I said, in new areas other than agriculture, which remains again one of the key areas, but then semiconductor, digital economy, energy, advanced manufacturing.”
Tarique invited Malaysian businesses to invest in the country.
He said, “I believe that there is huge potential for Malaysian investment in Bangladesh and I sincerely urge Malaysian businessmen to seize these opportunities.”
“Based on the overwhelming support of the people, we have re-established political stability through the democratic process. Our priority is to create jobs, attract foreign investment and accelerate economic growth. We are creating an investment-friendly environment and creating new opportunities for investors.”
Investment has been a major concern for Bangladesh’s economy since the 2024 July Uprising that toppled the Awami League regime. The political uncertainty at the time had dissuaded foreign and domestic businesses from investment.
Entrepreneurs and economists had hoped the formation of an elected government would ease concerns, but though the situation has improved, investment remains sluggish. They point to the ongoing uncertainty in the domestic and global markets and what they say are persistent issues regarding security and law and order.
ASEAN Ties and Rohingya Talks
Bangladesh has long sought to strengthen its connections with ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including a renewed push for regional cooperation under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
Prime Minister Tarique reinforced that sentiment on Monday following the talks.
“We also discussed regional cooperation. Bangladesh seeks closer engagement with ASEAN and hopes to become a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN.”
“At the same time, we are keen to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). I express my gratitude for Malaysia’s support for Bangladesh’s regional integration efforts.”
ASEAN support for Bangladesh could go a long way towards addressing a longstanding issue for Dhaka – the Rohingya crisis.
Since violence broke out in Myanmar’s border state of Rakhine in August 2017, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled their homes and sought refuge in other countries. Many of them came to Bangladesh. It was only the latest instance of the Rohingya population crossing the border to escape persecution in their home country.
Currently, Bangladesh hosts over 1 million Rohingya, with the majority living in the Cox’s Bazar region, which the UN says is home to the world’s largest refugee camp.
Despite repeated attempts over the past decade to engage with Myanmar and repatriate the population, there has been little success.
ASEAN is a crucial regional body for Myanmar, which is one of its member states.
Additional pressure from the body could finally bring an end to the longstanding stalemate.
Tarique said on Monday, “I expressed deep concern over the plight of the Rohingya community who have taken refuge in Bangladesh and thank Malaysia for its continued support for their safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation.”
Anwar said Malaysia was continuing to work its influence to resolve the crisis and says it is taking steps through ASEAN mechanisms “to engage with the Myanmar authorities to resolve part of the issue.”
