United News of Bangladesh

Medical tests for workers aspiring to go to Malaysia for employment will begin at authorised medical centres from October 31, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has said. No medical tests can be conducted before the date, and any tests carried out before October 31 will not be accepted or processed for immigration clearance, according to a press release signed by public relations officer of the ministry Shariful Islam. The list of authorised medical centres will be published on the ministry’s website soon. Workers have been advised to keep track of the list, which may be revised based on compliance with official instructions and the centres’ capacity. No medical centre or recruiting agency will be allowed to conduct or arrange medical tests without official instructions and approval from the ministry. The ministry said it has received reports that some brokers and unscrupulous agencies are trying to collect passports and money from workers by offering to arrange medical tests without authorisation. Workers have been urged not to respond to such offers or hand over their passports or money to anyone without verifying the relevant authorisation. Until further notice, recruiting agencies applying for clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) must submit the relevant documents, along with VDR visa papers, for medical tests at authorised centres. The ministry warned that medical centres and recruiting agencies violating the instructions would face action under existing laws and regulations. The authorities may suspend the operations of non-compliant medical centres, halt overseas recruitment activities by the agencies concerned and cancel their ministry approval. Workers have also been requested to report any unauthorised medical tests or related activities to the ministry, providing the date and place of the incident, the names of the individuals or organisations involved, and supporting evidence. Complaints can be sent to [email protected]. The ministry said it would continue monitoring the situation to protect workers’ safety and interests and urged all concerned workers, recruiting agencies and medical centres to comply with the government’s instructions.