Beyond Digitization: Recruitment Governance Systems Gaps and the Persistent Exploitation of Bangladeshi Migrant Workers in Malaysia

Abstract

This study examines the recruitment governance of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia, which has evolved from the ePPAx and SPPA systems (2016–2018) to the current Foreign Workers Centralized Management System (FWCMS). While these reforms aimed to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability, informal recruitment networks run by private agencies and syndicates continue to dominate the process, undermining worker protection. The study adopts a qualitative research design, integrating interviews with government officials, employers, NGOs, and migrant workers, alongside analyses of policy documents, bilateral agreements, and media reports. The findings highlight four key dynamics: 1) digital platforms improve procedural efficiency but fail to address structural vulnerabilities 2) informal recruitment channels perpetuate high fees, quota manipulation, and debt bondage 3) workers experience persistent rights violations and 4) stakeholders remain divided, with employers prioritizing convenience and authorities constrained by enforcement gaps. The study concludes that Malaysia’s recruitment governance remains largely procedural rather than protective and calls for a framework that prioritizes workers’ rights, accountability, access to justice, and migrant agency.