The High Court on Sunday asked the Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry to submit the progress report of refunding the money of 17,777 people who failed to go to Malaysia within the specified timeframe after completing all process, by August 27.

The HC bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asaf passed the order.

Earlier, the ministry submitted a report in this regard before the court mentioning the recruiting agencies were responsible for 17,777 people being unable to go to Malaysia.

After being closed for a long period, Malaysia's labour market was reopened in August 2022.

Through 101 recruiting agencies, nearly 450,000 workers traveled to Malaysia by May 31, 2024.

However, due to different issues related to tickets, around 17,500 workers got stranded.

Some of them were unable to obtain flight tickets, while others did not receive the final confirmation from their employers in Malaysia.

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The employers had not sent guarantees to pick them up from the airport. The deadline for the workers to reach Malaysia was May 31.

Later, Advocate Md Tanvir Ahmed filed a writ petition seeking refund of the money of those victims who failed to go to Malaysia.

On June 24, 2024, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the ineffectiveness of the authorities concerned in destroying the life of the workers should not be declared illegal.

It also issued another rule asking the government to explain as to why the authorities concerned should not be directed to refund the money of 17,777 Malaysia-bound workers.

The HC also asked to submit the progress report every three-month.

In this context, the state counsel informed the court that a decision was taken to take legal action against the recruiting agencies and an initiative has been taken to dispose of the legal allegation of taking Tk 78,990 more than the government fixed money from the workers

The report also includes several recommendations including that a centralised management system should be implemented for sending workers to various countries, including Malaysia, which would allow for monitoring the entire process, from issuing demand letters to overseeing the workers' departure and subsequent situation abroad.

The system would involve immigration authorities, Bangladesh embassies abroad and recruiting agencies.

The report also recommends that after receiving employment approval from the ministry, workers should obtain a clearance card from BMET and the sending of workers should be specified.

Recruiting agencies have been urged to ensure transparency in the fees charged to migrant workers.

Besides, it has been advised that diplomatic communication with the government of Malaysia should continue through the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia for workers who have received e-visas but failed to enter Malaysia.