01:39The Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist and head of Bangladesh’s interim Muhammad Yunus welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar on Friday, the first foreign leader to visit Bangladesh since Yunus assumed office after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and fleet amid violent protests.
The meeting was reportedly focused on enhancing cooperation between the two nations, including bilateral trade, investment, labour migration and the issue of Rohingya refugees.
Following the discussion, Anwar promised to hire 18,000 Bangladeshi workers and ensure good working conditions.
"We need workers, but they cannot be treated as modern slaves, whether they are from Bangladesh or any other country. I have said this publicly before, and I reaffirm it now," he stated.
With 800,000 Bangladeshi labourers employed in Malaysia, Bangladesh is believed to be one of the main sources of labour in the country. However, there have been reports of workers' rights violations during recruitment.
The leader of Bangladesh's interim administration also requested assistance from Malaysia to raise the issue of returning Rohingya refugees to their home country of Myanmar at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, as Malaysia's coming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.
A million refugees are being housed in Bangladesh as a result of the increasing violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
On the first visit of the Malaysian head to Bangladesh in 11 years, Anwar was accompanied by a 58-member delegation.
Malaysian PM arrives in Bangladesh as first foreign leader visiting country after interim administration assumed office
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist and head of Bangladesh’s interim Muhammad Yunus welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar on Friday, the first foreign leader to visit Bangladesh since Yunus assumed office after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and fleet amid violent protests.
The meeting was reportedly focused on enhancing cooperation between the two nations, including bilateral trade, investment, labour migration and the issue of Rohingya refugees.
Following the discussion, Anwar promised to hire 18,000 Bangladeshi workers and ensure good working conditions.
"We need workers, but they cannot be treated as modern slaves, whether they are from Bangladesh or any other country. I have said this publicly before, and I reaffirm it now," he stated.
With 800,000 Bangladeshi labourers employed in Malaysia, Bangladesh is believed to be one of the main sources of labour in the country. However, there have been reports of workers' rights violations during recruitment.
The leader of Bangladesh's interim administration also requested assistance from Malaysia to raise the issue of returning Rohingya refugees to their home country of Myanmar at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, as Malaysia's coming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.
A million refugees are being housed in Bangladesh as a result of the increasing violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
On the first visit of the Malaysian head to Bangladesh in 11 years, Anwar was accompanied by a 58-member delegation.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist and head of Bangladesh’s interim Muhammad Yunus welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar on Friday, the first foreign leader to visit Bangladesh since Yunus assumed office after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and fleet amid violent protests.
The meeting was reportedly focused on enhancing cooperation between the two nations, including bilateral trade, investment, labour migration and the issue of Rohingya refugees.
Following the discussion, Anwar promised to hire 18,000 Bangladeshi workers and ensure good working conditions.
"We need workers, but they cannot be treated as modern slaves, whether they are from Bangladesh or any other country. I have said this publicly before, and I reaffirm it now," he stated.
With 800,000 Bangladeshi labourers employed in Malaysia, Bangladesh is believed to be one of the main sources of labour in the country. However, there have been reports of workers' rights violations during recruitment.
The leader of Bangladesh's interim administration also requested assistance from Malaysia to raise the issue of returning Rohingya refugees to their home country of Myanmar at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, as Malaysia's coming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.
A million refugees are being housed in Bangladesh as a result of the increasing violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
On the first visit of the Malaysian head to Bangladesh in 11 years, Anwar was accompanied by a 58-member delegation.