Medical examinations for Bangladeshi workers seeking employment in Malaysia will begin at government-approved medical centres on October 31, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has announced.

In a notice issued on October 26, the ministry said no medical examinations could be conducted before the scheduled date and that tests carried out earlier would not be accepted for immigration clearance.

The list of authorised medical centres will be published on the ministry’s website soon. Workers have been advised to check the list and ensure that their chosen centres have official approval.

The ministry warned that some brokers and unscrupulous recruiting agencies were attempting to collect passports and money from workers by offering unauthorised medical examinations.

It urged workers not to respond to such offers or hand over passports or money without verifying the relevant authorisation.

Under the directive, recruiting agencies applying for clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) must submit the required documents, including Visa with Reference (VDR) visa documents, for medical examinations at authorised centres until further notice.

Medical centres and recruiting agencies violating the instructions may face legal action under existing laws and regulations. The measures could include shutting down non-compliant medical centres, suspending the overseas recruitment activities of the agencies involved and cancelling their approvals.

The ministry has also urged workers to report cases of unauthorised medical examinations, providing the date and location of the incident, the names of the individuals or organisations involved, and supporting evidence.

Complaints can be sent to secretary@probashi.gov.bd.

The ministry said it would continue monitoring the process to protect workers’ interests and prevent irregularities, urging all workers, recruiting agencies and medical centres to comply with the directive, which takes immediate effect.