The government has formed a high-level investigation committee to identify those responsible for the suffering of thousands of Malaysia-bound workers who failed to fly despite completing legal procedures.Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury issued the warning at an emergency press conference at Probashi Kallyan Bhaban on Tuesday (June 2).He said strict legal action would be taken against recruiting agencies found guilty of cheating migrant workers, including cancellation of licences.

The minister said the committee was formed to investigate the last-minute suffering of Malaysia-bound workers, the artificial crisis of air tickets and possible manipulation behind their failure to travel.

He said the committee had been asked to submit its report quickly.

“Agencies that took extra money from workers but failed to provide tickets, or cheated them, will have their licences cancelled directly after investigation,” Ariful said.

He said owners of fraudulent agencies would not only face licence cancellation, but also criminal cases.

The minister said an accurate list was being prepared of workers who remained stranded despite receiving clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training.

He said compensation and rehabilitation for the affected workers were being considered seriously.

Ariful said high-level communication with the Malaysian government was continuing so that deprived workers could be allowed to travel under special consideration or the deadline could be extended.

“The government will not bow to any syndicate,” he said. “We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy to protect the interests of migrant workers.”

He said the ministry would take all necessary steps to make the migration sector transparent and free from corruption.

“Those who played with the hard-earned money of workers must face strict punishment,” the minister said.

He said many workers failed to reach Malaysia despite buying tickets at high prices at the last moment because of flight shortages.

Many agencies did not book tickets in time, leaving workers in severe uncertainty, he said.

The minister said the process showed serious negligence by recruiting agencies and that exemplary legal action would be taken after the investigation.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare Nurul Haque Nur, senior ministry officials and officials of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training were present at the press conference.