Kuala Lumpur: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated on Monday that both Bangladesh and Malaysia have agreed to move forward with negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Rahman, who was speaking following a meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, said he had also asked for Kuala Lumpur to reopen its labour market for Bangladeshi migrant workers as soon as possible.
Malaysia has been a key destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, whose remittances are a crucial source of foreign exchange for the South Asian nation.
However, Kuala Lumpur has restricted the hiring of workers from Bangladesh since 2024 amid reports of debt bondage and forced labour, with workers incurring substantial debts to secure employment in Malaysia.
"I also raised issues relating to regularisation of illegal workers and repatriation of the detained Bangladeshis if possible," Rahman told reporters during a visit to Malaysia where he met Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said both countries agreed to take measures to ensure transparency in the recruitment of workers and protect their welfare.
"This continued use of workers being exploited, ill-treated... solely for personal company gains cannot be tolerated," he said.
Anwar and Rahman also witnessed the exchange of several agreements, including collaborations on investment promotion, cultural cooperation and counterterrorism, and the two countries also pledged to move forward with negotiations on a free trade agreement.
Tariq Rahman is on his first overseas trip since taking office, as Bangladesh looks to attract investment, boost overseas employment and strengthen ties with Asian partners.
-With inputs from Reuters