Bangladesh is grappling with significant hurdles in sending migrant workers abroad, as discussions around labor agreements with Malaysia and opportunities in Japan reveal systemic issues of policy, skill gaps, and ethical concerns. At a recent seminar in Dhaka, Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, tempered expectations about Malaysia’s demand for Bangladeshi workers while highlighting the urgent need to upskill labor for Japan’s market. Amidst these challenges, issues of fraudulent documentation further complicate the migration process, risking the country’s reputation and the livelihoods of thousands.

Malaysia’s Limited Demand and the Syndicate Dilemma

In a candid address at the seminar titled “Japan’s Labour Market: Opportunities and Challenges,” held at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka on July 2, 2025, Asif Nazrul clarified the overhyped narrative surrounding Malaysia’s labor needs. “There is a lot of hype that Malaysia will take 1 to 1.2 million workers from Bangladesh. I’ve just returned from there. In reality, Malaysia will take no more than 30,000 to 40,000 workers over the next year,” he stated, as reported by The Daily Star on July 3, 2025.

This figure, far lower than public expectations, reflects a pragmatic assessment following Nazrul’s recent visit to Malaysia. However, the path to sending even this reduced number of workers is fraught with complications rooted in a pre-existing agreement between the two nations. Signed under the previous Bangladeshi government, the deal established a system where Malaysia selects recruiting agencies from a provided list—a mechanism Nazrul described as a “syndicate.”

“The previous government had signed an agreement with Malaysia under which they agreed to provide a list of recruiting agencies, and Malaysia would select from them. This is a formal agreement between the two parties—what we call a ‘syndicate’. Now that we’ve taken over, everyone is saying the syndicate system must be abolished,” Nazrul explained. Yet, amending this agreement poses a diplomatic challenge. “We can’t force Malaysia to change it. If they refuse, we have two options: follow their terms and send workers through 25, 50, or 100 agencies, or stop sending workers altogether,” he added.

The stakes are high. Nazrul highlighted the personal and political bind this creates: “If I send workers through the existing syndicate, I’ll be accused of being a part of it. But if I don’t send anyone, 40,000 workers will miss out, and Malaysia will remember that. This could affect up to two lakh families in the long run.” The term “two lakh” refers to 200,000, underscoring the profound economic ripple effects on Bangladeshi households dependent on overseas remittances.

This dilemma illustrates a broader tension between adhering to international agreements and reforming domestic practices perceived as exploitative. For many Bangladeshi workers, overseas employment is a lifeline, with remittances forming a critical part of the national economy. According to World Bank data, remittances accounted for over 6% of Bangladesh’s GDP in recent years, with Malaysia being a key destination. Disrupting this flow could exacerbate poverty in rural communities, where many migrant workers originate.

Japan’s Labor Market: A Demand for Skills Bangladesh Lacks

While Malaysia presents immediate policy challenges, Japan offers a longer-term opportunity tempered by significant hurdles. Nazrul acknowledged a “strong demand for workers” in Japan but pointed to a critical gap in preparedness. “We have unskilled workers, many of whom are learning Japanese, but they are not yet fully prepared. The solution is to upskill them according to Japan’s needs,” he said during the seminar.

Japan’s aging population and shrinking workforce have created openings in sectors like construction, caregiving, and manufacturing—areas where Bangladesh could theoretically fill gaps. However, Japan’s stringent requirements for language proficiency and technical skills pose barriers. To address this, the Bangladeshi government has taken proactive steps, including the establishment of a “Japan Cell” with plans for a dedicated website to streamline information and processes. Additionally, Nazrul outlined efforts to eliminate intermediaries in the migration process to Japan, aiming for greater transparency.

One innovative approach involves public-private partnerships. “We’re asking Japanese entrepreneurs to take over our Technical Training Centers (TTCs)—bring their experts and train our workers. We’re ready to hand over entire TTCs. We’ve already handed over the Manohardi TTC to be redesigned according to their requirements,” Nazrul revealed. This model, alongside collaborations with non-governmental organizations, signals a shift toward aligning training with destination-country standards.

Yet, the scale of the challenge is immense. Upskilling thousands of workers requires not only infrastructure but also cultural adaptation and rigorous quality control to meet Japan’s expectations. If successful, this could position Bangladesh as a reliable supplier of labor to one of the world’s most advanced economies. If not, the opportunity may slip away to competitors like Vietnam or the Philippines, which have already made inroads into Japan’s labor market with more structured training programs.

Fraudulent Documentation: A Stain on Reputation

Compounding these structural and diplomatic challenges are ethical issues surrounding the migration process itself. At the same seminar, Lutfor Siddique, the chief adviser’s special envoy on international affairs, pointed to a pervasive problem: the use of fake documents by Bangladeshi migrants. “Many of our workers think going abroad is the only goal, even if it means using fake documents and lacking proper skills. This mindset is creating visa issues in many countries,” he said, as reported by The Daily Star on July 3, 2025.

Siddique specifically highlighted difficulties in securing visa appointments for Japan, attributing delays and rejections to “the submission of forged certificates and fake bank statements.” He called for legal consequences to deter such practices, emphasizing that they tarnish Bangladesh’s credibility on the global stage. “Getting a visa appointment for Japan is now extremely difficult, largely due to the submission of forged certificates and fake bank statements. There must be legal consequences for such actions,” he urged.

This issue of fraudulent documentation is not new but remains a persistent blight. It reflects a deeper desperation among workers to escape economic hardship, often at the mercy of unscrupulous middlemen who facilitate such forgery for hefty fees. The cost, however, is borne by the broader migrant community, as countries tighten visa policies in response. For instance, Japan’s already rigorous vetting process has become even more stringent, potentially sidelining legitimate applicants.

Balancing Opportunity and Integrity

The dual challenges of navigating labor agreements with Malaysia and meeting Japan’s skill demands underscore Bangladesh’s precarious position in the global labor market. On one hand, the potential to send tens of thousands of workers abroad offers a vital economic boost; on the other, systemic issues—be it exploitative syndicates or fraudulent practices—threaten to undermine progress. Nazrul’s dilemma over the Malaysia agreement encapsulates this tension: comply with a flawed system and face domestic backlash, or halt migration and risk alienating a key partner.

Meanwhile, the push to prepare workers for Japan represents a forward-thinking strategy, albeit one requiring significant investment and patience. Handing over training centers to Japanese expertise is a bold move, potentially setting a precedent for other countries. Yet, without addressing the root causes of fraud—economic desperation and weak oversight—these efforts risk being overshadowed by reputational damage.

The economic stakes of migrant labor cannot be overstated. For many Bangladeshi families, overseas work is a pathway out of poverty, with earnings often supporting education, healthcare, and housing back home. The potential loss of 40,000 opportunities in Malaysia alone, as Nazrul warned, could impact up to 200,000 people indirectly. Converted to financial terms, assuming an average remittance of 100,000 Bangladeshi Taka (~US$840) per worker annually, this represents a loss of billions in Taka to the economy.

Socially, the issue also fuels a narrative of exploitation and inequality. Workers caught in the syndicate system often pay exorbitant fees to agencies, sometimes equivalent to a year’s earnings, trapping them in debt before they even board a plane. Similarly, those resorting to fake documents often do so under pressure from intermediaries who exploit their lack of knowledge or resources.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Reform

As Bangladesh navigates these complex waters, the need for comprehensive reform becomes clear. Breaking the syndicate model in Malaysia requires not just bilateral negotiation but also domestic alternatives that prioritize worker welfare over profit. Simultaneously, building a skilled workforce for Japan demands long-term investment in education and training, coupled with strict measures against fraud.

The path forward is uncertain. Will Bangladesh manage to balance diplomatic obligations with domestic demands for fairness? Can it transform its vast labor pool into a competitive asset for markets like Japan? As policymakers like Nazrul and Siddique grapple with these questions, the hopes of thousands of workers—and the families they support—hang in the balance.