The International Labour Organization said migrant workers in Malaysia, especially vulnerable workers, should not bear recruitment fees and related costs, in order to keep hiring fair and ethical. [1, 2]
ILO said the definition of recruitment fees and related costs, set in 2018 and adopted in 2019, is now a widely recognised global benchmark. It defines such fees as any costs a worker incurs in the recruitment process to get a job or placement, regardless of how, when or where they are charged. [1, 2]
The agency said the standard has been used by multiple countries and industries to shape laws, codes of conduct and audit systems aimed at improving labour migration. It also pointed to a 2021 memorandum of understanding between Malaysia and Bangladesh on the recruitment, employment and repatriation of Bangladeshi workers. Under that deal, the costs paid by employers and workers were clearly split, with employers covering Malaysia-based expenses and air tickets. [1, 2]
ILO said reports have emerged since 2023 that some Bangladeshi workers who arrived in Malaysia with valid work permits later found the jobs they were promised did not exist. It was responding to statements issued in April this year about Bestinet Sdn Bhd and the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System, or FWCMS. [1, 2]
The agency also clarified that FWCMS is not a “United Nations-recognised platform”. It said the full name of the award linked to Bestinet is the World Summit Awards, or WSA, and that the prize aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals but is not issued by the United Nations. The latest statements on the issue were published on May 12 by Sin Chew Daily and Malay Mail. [1, 2]
