The BAIRA Combined Coordination Front has called for the immediate withdrawal of what it describes as 10 “impractical, syndicate-driven” conditions imposed on Bangladesh’s worker recruitment to Malaysia, while urging a return to the previous Saudi Arabia regime that allowed exit clearances for up to 24 visas without embassy attestation.

The alliance also demanded the withdrawal of what it termed a “false and harassing” case against former BAIRA joint secretary general Fakhrul Islam.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club on Wednesday (19 November), the front’s leader, former BAIRA president and ex-member of parliament MAH Selim argued that longstanding irregularities, corruption and inflated migration costs in the Malaysia corridor have persisted due to syndicate control.

He said the 10 conditions now proposed would exclude most licensed agencies, entrenching a “modernised version of the syndicate”. 

He further said that the Nepal government has already rejected these conditions. If a small country like Nepal can reject Malaysia's criteria, why can't Bangladesh?

But it is very regrettable that our Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, without discussing these unreasonable conditions given by Malaysia with the stakeholders, instructed the recruiting agencies to apply the next day, i.e. 29 October 2025. Where it is mentioned that an office of 10 thousand square feet is required. There must be testimonials from employers in different countries along with proof of sending at least 3 thousand workers to the same address in the last 3 years. Furthermore, the application must be made in your own name and under your supervision, including training centers, etc., which is unreasonable and unrealistic. If this process is implemented, the immigration costs of the workers will increase.

This makes it impossible for most agencies, except for a handful or two, to meet these criteria. If such unreasonable conditions are imposed, the entire manpower export sector will come under the control of a handful of people, i.e., it will be a modern version of the syndicates of the past.

We have already met with the Honorable Advisor on this issue and submitted a written letter regarding the withdrawal of the 10 criteria. From today's press conference, we strongly demand from the government that the government open the labor market to all legitimate recruiting agencies through professional diplomatic efforts.

On Saudi Arabia, the front pressed for reinstating the previous practice under which exit clearance could be issued—without Bangladeshi embassy attestation in Riyadh—for up to 24 visas, saying the change would ease bottlenecks for bona fide migrants. The demand echoes earlier appeals by BAIRA members on the same point.

Selim also alleged that, ahead of BAIRA’s internal elections, “syndicate” interests are filing politically motivated cases against anti-syndicate candidates.

He cited a case lodged on October 4 by RUL International owner Md Robel Hossain against Fakhrul Islam and two agency owners, which the front called “fabricated and ill-motivated”.

Responding to references made at the briefing to Lt Gen (retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury and his firm 5M International, public records show Masud Uddin—also a former MP—serves as managing director of 5M, one of the country’s prominent recruiting agencies.

Speakers called on the government to pursue a “professional diplomatic initiative” to keep the Malaysian labour market open to all compliant recruiting agencies, not just a few designated entities.

They also warned of possible “ghost cases” before the BAIRA polls and urged the administration to act decisively against any intimidation.