Recruiters call for abolition of syndicate system


FE REPORT | Published: March 16, 2022 10:02:44 | Updated: March 18, 2022 17:01:53


- File photo used for representation

Recruiters have expressed their dissatisfaction and deep concern over the 'syndicate-based' mechanism for sending manpower to Malaysia.

They have demanded the abolition of such an unethical system and keeping the labour market open for all authorised recruiting agencies.

The manpower recruiters have also demanded holding the election of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) immediately to help ensure accountability and transparency in this sector.

They placed the demands at a programme, organised by Sammilito Somonnoy Front (SSF), a platform of recruiting agencies, at a city hotel on Monday night.

SSF president Dr Mohammed Faruque presided over the event, while its secretary general Mostafa Mahmood, senior vice president Reaz-ul-Islam and a good number of members were present.

Dr Faruque expressed fears that the syndicate members could grab the total foreign labour market mainly due to a lack of an electoral body for BAIRA.

The apex body of the recruiters has been playing a vital role in boosting manpower recruitment since 1994, he said.

But the association did not hold any election for the last two terms--2016-18 and 2018-20--due to pressure of the syndicate members, the SSF president claimed.

Due to the absence of the electoral body, the syndicate members were exploiting jobseekers and making money, he added.

The overseas employment sector which has contributed US$1 trillion in the last 45 years is playing an important role in maintaining the steady growth of the country.

Currently, more than 10 million Bangladeshi expatriates are working in different countries and sending home their hard-earned remittances.

The contribution of the sector is about 12 per cent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), the SSF leaders said at the event.

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