HC seeks report on action taken against alleged embezzlers of Tk20,000 cr from Malaysia-bound workers

The High Court today (June 30) sought information from the authorities concerned about the action taken against those involved in the alleged misappropriation of at least Tk 20,000 crore from prospective expatriate workers promising to send them to Malaysia.

Additional Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy has been asked to inform the court in this regard within the next seven working days after discussing with the concerned persons including the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Foreign Employment.

The High Court bench comprising Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolan passed the order after hearing a petition filed on the matter in public interest.

Advocate Tanveer Ahmed defended the writ in the court. He had filed a petition in the court after a national daily published a report on June 2 claiming that Tk 20,000 crore had been siphoned off from 30,000 workers bound for Malaysia.

According to data from the Ministry of Expatriates, a total of 16,970 aspiring expatriates were unable to travel to Malaysia within the May 31 deadline set by the Malaysian government despite obtaining permission from the Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET).

Many were unable to obtain tickets due to delays caused by recruitment agencies.