Malaysia Clarifies New Foreign Worker Recruitment Rules — Foreign Ministry Issues Statement

KUALA LUMPUR:  Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KLN) has clarified that all foreign worker recruitment policies and requirements fa...

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KLN) has clarified that all foreign worker recruitment policies and requirements fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), while the Foreign Ministry’s role is limited to communicating those policies diplomatically to source countries.

A ministry spokesperson said:

“Any detailed questions about recruitment procedures should be directed to KESUMA. The Foreign Ministry only conveys official policies to partner governments.”

The clarification comes after foreign employment agencies from Bangladesh and Nepal criticized Malaysia’s 10 new mandatory recruitment conditions, calling them unrealistic, unfair, and a return to a syndicate-style system.

According to the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) and the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA), many of the new conditions are “practically impossible” even for experienced agencies to meet.

Key new conditions include:

• Agencies must have recruited at least 3,000 workers internationally in the past five years.
• Must have experience placing workers in at least three different countries.
• Must operate from a permanent office of at least 10,000 sq. ft., active for a minimum of three years.
• Must own a certified training center.
• Must provide positive recommendations from five international employers.

These conditions were outlined in a diplomatic note sent by the KLN to all source country embassies on October 27, 2025, requiring submission of eligible agency lists by November 15, 2025.

According to officials, the move aims to ensure a transparent, ethical, and fair recruitment system for Malaysia’s growing foreign labor market.

However, industry groups warn the new rules could push out small and mid-sized agencies, leaving the market dominated by influential individuals and large networks — potentially reviving the same issues of monopoly, corruption, and human trafficking that plagued the system between 2022 and 2024, when 480,000 Bangladeshi workers entered Malaysia through 103 approved agencies.

The Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with KESUMA to pursue constructive diplomatic engagement for a fair and sustainable labor recruitment framework.