Bangladesh urges Malaysia to ease labour hiring curbs amid exploitation concerns

AI Summary

Bangladesh's new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged Malaysia to lift restrictions on Bangladeshi labor hiring, amid concerns of exploitation and recruitment abuses raised by migrant rights groups. The discussions occurred during Rahman's first foreign visit targeting stronger bilateral relations with Malaysia.

Bangladesh’s new leader has urged Malaysia to reopen its labour market to more Bangladeshi workers, even as migrant rights groups warned that both governments must first address years of recruitment abuse, debt and stranded-worker cases. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman made the request to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during talks in Putrajaya on Monday, his first foreign visit since taking office, while seeking to broaden bilateral ties. Tarique said he had asked Anwar to consider...