Traffic halted as Malaysia-bound migrants stage protest at Karwan Bazar

A group of aspiring migrants, unable to secure flights to Malaysia last year, staged a demonstration on Sunday at the Sonargaon intersection in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar area, bringing traffic to a complete standstill.

The protesters are part of a larger group of over 17,000 workers who missed the May 31, 2024, deadline set by Malaysian authorities for overseas employment.

During the protest, the demonstrators presented five key demands:

Workers whose e-visas were issued before the May 31 deadline, but who did not receive BMET clearance, along with those who completed all necessary procedures, must be sent to Malaysia promptly.

No worker should be excluded from the process, regardless of whether new interviews are conducted.

A specific deployment date must be fixed immediately, and a written memorandum must be provided.

The memorandum must be formally submitted through the chief adviser and the expatriates’ welfare adviser.

If workers cannot be sent to Malaysia by the stipulated deadline, the government must arrange alternative employment opportunities and provide appropriate compensation.

The protest caused significant traffic congestion in one of Dhaka’s busiest commercial hubs, drawing the attention of both commuters and authorities.

Authorities are reportedly in talks with representatives of the demonstrators to address their demands and find a solution.