Ministry approval mandatory for sending workers to 12 countries

The countries are—Serbia, Moldova, Belarus, Kosovo, Bosnia, Japan, Iraq, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Ukraine and Libya.

On Wednesday (November 4), the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) informed member recruiting agencies about this directive of the ministry in a letter. The ministry has also issued a similar directive.

In this situation, those interested in going to these countries have been advised not to make any financial transactions or final decisions before confirming the recruitment process and government approval. Merely receiving a visa or job offer does not ensure safe migration—it has been stated that it is important to verify the employer's identity, contract, salary and benefits, and type of visa.

Concerns have arisen especially over incidents in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam where people are held in online fraud and scam compounds and forced to carry out fraudulent work. Therefore, people have been urged not to fall for brokers' temptations and to verify the legal process before going abroad.