The High Court on Sunday sought information from authorities concerned on actions taken against those involved in the alleged embezzlement of at least Tk 20,000 crore from aspiring expatriate workers promising to send them to Malaysia.
The HC bench comprising Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice S M Masud Hasan came up with the order during the hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard.
The HC bench asked the Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Inspector General of Police, and the General Secretary of BAIRA to implement the order. The petitioners lawyers, Md Tanvir Ahmed and Biplab Poddar, were present during the hearing.
On June 2, a national daily published a report titled "Dreams of 30,000 Youths Shattered, Tk 20,000 Crore Looted." The report highlighted the plight of individuals like Adnan Rahman, 28, from Mymensingh, who sold his mothers jewellery and 20 decimal land, raising Tk 0.68 million (6.8 lakh), including some borrowed money, to pay an agency.
Adnan hoped to transform his familys fortunes by working in Malaysia, but due to the agencys fraud, he could not fly out - his dreams crushed and left in despair, along with over 30,000 other youths who were similarly defrauded. The report stated that a few individuals associated with agencies had embezzled at least Tk 200 billion (Tk 20,000 crore).
May 31 was the last day for sending foreign workers to Malaysia. Due to various reasons, including a shortage of airline tickets, nearly 17,000 workers from Bangladesh could not depart on the final day despite having completed all necessary paperworks and immigration clearance from BMET.
Hundreds of these workers were even sent to Dhaka airport, causing a commotion. In response, the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment formed an investigation committee the following day. After an extension, the committee submitted its report on June 24. However, the Ministry is yet to release any formal information on the findings of the investigation.
According to Expatriate Ministry data, a total of 16,970 aspiring expatriates failed to go to Malaysia within the May 31 deadline set by the Malaysian government, despite obtaining permission from the Bangladesh Manpower Employment and Training Bureau (BMET).
Many were unable to secure tickets due to delays caused by recruiting agencies.
