ACC to prosecute 124 over ‘Tk 45.45bn embezzlement’ in Malaysia worker recruitment

Authorities allege syndicate-controlled scheme charged workers far above the legal limit

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is preparing to file separate cases against 124 individuals from 60 recruiting agencies over allegations that a syndicate has embezzled Tk 45.45 billion while sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia.

On Wednesday, Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain said the suspects would face charges of embezzlement and trafficking.

According to ACC data, the agencies sent 267,276 workers to Malaysia.

Instead of the government-approved Tk 78,990, they allegedly charged up to five times the authorised fee, collecting a total of Tk 45.45 billion in excess.

Labour migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia had been suspended in 2018 due to irregularities and syndicate activities.

On Dec 19, 2021, the two countries signed a new agreement allowing workers to return, with a maximum visa fee set at Tk 78,540.

In 2022, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment confirmed this amount via an official order.

Under the 2016 agreement, only 10 recruiting agencies were allowed to send workers, while the 2021 pact expanded the number to 100.

Allegations have emerged that a new syndicate formed, with 20–25 agencies controlling the entire worker recruitment process.

Following last year’s government change, the national anti-graft agency began investigating allegations of irregularities and corruption in Malaysia-bound labour migration.

The commission had already filed cases against several agency heads. It now plans to take legal action against 60 more agencies.